NCJ Number
239948
Date Published
2012
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This 2011 annual report of Indiana's Judicial Service highlights two important efforts of the Indiana court system: a strategic plan for the future of Indiana's judicial system and achievements in court automation.
Abstract
In 2008, Indiana's Board of Directors of the Judicial Conference developed a long-term plan for Indiana's courts. The three most important actions were enhanced training and education for judges and court staff, a simpler structure for trial courts, and a plan that requires courts to be responsible for trial court records while circuit clerks continue to be responsible for many other important non-court duties. At this same meeting, a team of nine judges was created to be the Strategic Planning Committee, which coordinates the implementation of the aforementioned goals. This report describes the work of this Committee from its inception to the present. Unrelated to the work of the Strategic Planning Committee, but clearly in line with its goals, committees of the Indiana Judicial Conference advocated successfully for the unification of all probation departments within a county. Overall, substantial progress has been made, but the system can be further improved to better serve all citizens. A major effort to improve court operations in 2011 consisted of advancements in court automation and court information sharing. A State-wide computerized case management system ("Odyssey") connects courts across county lines and connects courts with local and State entities that need and use court information. The Supreme Court developed the Indiana Court Information Technology Extranet (INcite), which is a secure Web site provided to all clerks, courts, and other approved users who share court information. By the end of 2011, 13 INcite applications were being used to exchange information by approximately 20,000 registered users. Fiscal and other court data are provided, along with a CD of the 2011 Indiana Probation Report.