NCJ Number
150058
Journal
State Government News Volume: 37 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1994) Pages: 12-15
Date Published
1994
Length
4 pages
Annotation
State courts are increasingly using computers to keep track of criminals and court cases, recognizing that almost anything in a courthouse that can be done on paper can be done more efficiently with a computer.
Abstract
Computers also make the legal system easier to understand, helping citizens to run computer searches of a criminal judgment index and taking them through the steps necessary to fill out a divorce petition. The demand for access to court data is also increasing. The demand comes from private individuals, law firms, credit companies, title companies, law enforcement agencies, and others who routinely check court records. While meeting that demand, the courts must keep public records safe and continue to shield confidential court records from the public. Court networks also help criminal justice agencies coordinate services and keep better track of people supervised by the courts. Courts are funding automated systems by several methods, including general revenues, increased court fees, and surcharges on filing fees. Costs for starting and operating a system vary greatly, depending on the number of courts linked together and the starting level of automation. For cost-efficiency, the leading innovation in court technology is video arraignment. Photographs, case examples, and list of factors crucial to a realistic court automation plan