End of 2013 Court Tech News

The CTB received several interesting articles at the end of the year.

This and That in Court Tech – December, 2013

Big news on credit card fees and much more in a busy month of announcements.

25 Years Later, PACER, Electronic Filing Continue to Change Courts

In the above titled article dated December 9, 2013, the US Federal Courts celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the approval of the PACER online system.  The article begins:

Information Systems Security Primer – Final Parts

This is the fourth and fifth part of Fortune 100 Corporation Security Director Ken Lobenstein’s primer on computer security and more...

North Carolina Court Technology Said to be Outdated

In a hearing before the recently created North Carolina House Judicial Efficiency and Effective Administration of Justice committee, John W. Smith, director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) noted the challenges that the courts are facing.

This and That in Court Tech – November, 2013

Time for another “This and That” post…

Computer Monitors Are Changing - Let's Use Them

With apologies for not posting an article last week due to travel, we talk about BIG screens and user interfaces below.

Information Systems Security Primer – Part III

Here is the third part of Fortune 100 Corporation Security Director Ken Lobenstein’s primer on computer security.

Making the Record: Utilizing Digital Electronic Recording Paper Released

My good friend, former Vermont State Court Administrator, Lee Suskin and I have been busy this year working with the digital electronic recording industry to write the above titled report that is now available.  Click here to download a PDF copy of the paper.

JTC Resource Bulletin: Strategic Issues to Consider before Starting an E-filing Initiative

The Joint Technology Committee (JTC) of the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) and the National Association for Court Management (NACM) recently published a resource bulletin on "Strategic Issues to Consider before Starting an E-filing Initiative."  This paper discusses some of the key policy, operational and technical issues to consider before embarking on an e-filing project.  It also includes feedback from interviews with several Court and IT managers who have graciously shared experiences and lessons learned from their own e-filing projects.

This and That in Court Technology – October, 2013

We have a few things that have come to our attention this month that we want to share.

Handwritten Signatures – Now a Punch Line, Part 2

Another example that judicial signatures cannot be reliably used to verify court orders occurred when Ninth Judicial Circuit of Florida Chief Judge, Belvin Perry’s signature was forged on fraudulent court orders resulting in the freeing of two prisoners convicted of murder.

In the AP/USA Today article – “Men who escaped prison with forged papers registered as felons” the judge commented:  “One of the things we have never taken a close look at is the verification of a particular document to make sure it's the real McCoy”

We offered some potential solutions in our earlier “Punch Line” article.

SEARCH Group Announces Grant Program

The National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics has announced the "Justice Information Exchange Implementation Project Competitive Award" program.

Information Systems Security Primer - Parts I & II

Our good friend, former Court information technology officer and now, Information Security Director at a Fortune 100 multinational corporation, Ken Lobenstein (and author of the popular Twelve Days of Court Tech article) has written a series of short posts on technology security.  Here is the first and second parts of the series.

QR Codes for Easy Access to Calendars

The US Federal Bankruptcy Court in the Central District of California innovates with QR Codes.

LegalXML Electronic Court Filing Video and News

Following the recent CTC-2013 Conference the Oasis-OpenLegalXML Electronic Court Filing TC met.  Here are some of the highlights:

Court Case Management Systems Part 11 - The Impact of E-Filing

E-filing is an integral part of new Court Case Management Systems.  But how it is implemented to work with CCMS makes all the difference.

CTC-2013 Highlights

We share our highlights from CTC-2013 held last week in Baltimore, Maryland in this week’s post.

Thanks you and CTC Video Online

I want to thank everyone for their good wishes after my son helped the NCSC to establish the Jim McMillan scholarship fund announced at CTC-2013.  The announcement video, keynotes and other video is now online at: http://vimeo.com/statecourts  And please see the conference website for much more at: http://ctc2013.com/  

Pre-CTC 2013 This and That in Court Technology

CTC-2013 Coming Soon

Baltimore Convention Center

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at CTC-2013 next week in Baltimore, Maryland (September 17-19).  We will try to post a note or two but as any of you who have attended the conference knows, it is a busy time.  Keep an eye on the NCSC Twitter account (@StateCourts) and the conference website at: http://ctc2013.com/ for news.

For more this and that click on the read more link below …

Webinar Offered on Wednesday, September 11 on Technologies to Assist the Unrepresented

Webinar Offered on Wednesday, September 11 on Technologies to Assist the Unrepresented

The Legal Services National Technology Assistance Project (NTAP) will offer an online workshop looking at web tools that are being used to assist those that have a legal problem and don't have an attorney representing them. will quickly review the building blocks of online self-help: online forms, web chat, and statewide websites and their tools and then focus on new and innovative tools that are coming into place that will be game changers.  For more and to sign up to participate click here for the webinar web page.

CTC-2013 Mid-Note Address Session

The title of the session to be presented at 8:30 AM on Wednesday, September 18th is: Winning the battle in the court of public opinion: Why technology, efficiency and customer service are key.

All-in-one PC's Get Better

A quick roundup of our favorite solution for the judge's courtroom bench computer.

Arizona Traffic Ticket and Complaint e-Citation Program

The Arizona Courts have developed a program to support the use of e-Citation systems in the state. The program manager explains their system, approach, and benefits.

Another Handy Standard – CMIS

Content Management Interoperability Services standard (CMIS) should be considered as part of your future document content planning

Court Tech Notes and News

After our summer break, here are some notes and news that accumulated in the interim.

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North Carolina Announces CIO Position

The NC Administrative Office of the Courts seeks a business focused technology leader to develop and implement the next generation of court technology, while optimizing the current technology portfolio to prepare for future changes.

This and That in Court Technology, August 2013 Edition

News and updates from around the court tech world.

Corpus Christi Municipal Court issues RFP

The City of Corpus Christi “City”, Texas Municipal Court is seeking proposals from qualified Proposers for a MUNICIPAL COURT AUTOMATED CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM.  The court will also consider jury system functionality as part of this RFP.

Vendors interested in responding will need to register via the Public Purchase website at: http://www.publicpurchase.com/gems/cctexas,tx/buyer/public/home  This same website will be used to upload responses to the RFP.

Why E-filing Fees are Not a Tax

Recent news prompts a response on the need for court E-filing Fees.

Texas Modifies Mandatory E-Filing Rules

On June 24, the Supreme Court of Texas issued an amended order requiring electronic filing by attorneys in the appellate courts, district courts, statutory county courts, constitutional county courts and statutory probate courts.

Court Case Management Systems Part 10: Documents

Courts produce documents…lots of documents.  So Court Case Management Systems (CCMS) should help to produce and manage them.

Avoiding the Zimmerman Trial Skype Problem

The high profile trial of defendant George Zimmerman in the Florida State Courts had an embarrassing moment with Skype video conferencing on July 3, 2013. There is a way to keep that from happening.

Handwritten Signatures – Now a Punch Line

The June 24, 2013 edition of the Dilbert Comic Strip pokes fun at “original signatures”.

This and That in Court Technology – June, 2013

CTC-2013 Keynote, Alec Ross

Everyone must be getting ready for vacation.  We have a lot to share in this start of summer 2013 edition.

NCSC Issues RFI for ERP System Solutions

The NCSC is embarking on a mission to implement a software solution that will support improved administrative business processes.  Vendors are invited to provide complete ERP solutions, or they may partner with other providers to ensure a complete solution of integrated “best of breed” products. Responses to the Request for Information (RFI) should be submitted no later than July 1, 2013.

Judge Herbert Dixon Shares His Juror "Internet Charge"

The "Googling Juror" is a continual challenge to trial judges.  Here is how one addresses the issue in plain language.

eCitation – Now!

Courts are greatly benefiting from the adoption of eCitation systems by law enforcement.

This and That Notes in Court Technology - End of May, 2013 Edition

News from CTC-2013, Florida, Bell Labs, NASCIO, Ars Technica, and Ohio…

Connecticut Courts Announce Self-Represented E-Service Enhancements

The self-represented can now access Connecticut State Courts electronic services.

Email and E-Filing

Maybe it is time to think differently about Email?

An Important Report on the Needs of Self-Represented Litigants Released

A significant report has been created and shared by Dr. Julie Macfarlane at the University of Windsor, Canada with results that all courts should consider.  Her report is summarized by our good friend, Rob Richards of the Legal Informatics Blog.

Washington State Courts Announce Data Breach

Via Press Release, May 9, 2013

OLYMPIA, WA -- The Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) announced today that a data breach occurred recently on its public website.  No court records were altered and no financial data was maintained on the site. However, it has been confirmed that 94 social security numbers were obtained. There is also the potential that up to 160,000 social security numbers and 1 million driver license numbers may have been accessed as well.

This and That in Court Technology – May, 2013

Lots of news for our court technology friends...

Big Discovery, Big Evidence?

Some interesting articles arrived this week.

Court Case Management Systems Part 9B: Scheduling and Calendaring

In the previous article we discussed the concept of “buckets” or “slots” that are created so that cases can be assigned in a controlled and orderly manner.  And we also discussed the idea of scheduling a team of staff.  But there are many additional needs that should be addressed in a modern court calendaring system.

Court Case Management Systems Part 9A: Scheduling and Calendaring

This edition of our Court Case Management Systems series will discuss court scheduling and calendaring.  This first part will focus on core functionality while in the next, we will discuss what needs to be done to have scheduling and calendaring systems take advantage of existing and future technology.

NIEM 3.0 Alpha 2 Draft Open Public Review Announced

The National Information Exchange Model (NIEM) working groups have announced a public review of their latest draft standard.

Virginia Courts Announce E-Filing Pilot

Press Release - April 10, 2013

The Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia and George E. Schaefer, Clerk of the Norfolk Circuit Court, announce that the Virginia Judiciary E-Filing System (VJEFS), which allows attorneys to electronically file civil actions in circuit court, will be implemented as a pilot program in the Norfolk Circuit Court, beginning April 15, 2013.

This and That in Court Technology - April 2013

The court tech world has been busy this month, perhaps due to the late arrival of spring?

IJIS & LegalXML Announce "Springboard Program" for E-Filing

On April 2, 2013 the IJIS Institute issued a Call for Participation in cooperation with the OASIS LegalXML Electronic Court Filing workgroup to “spring” development and adoption of the 4.01 standards.

Q&A with Daniel Lewis of Ravel Law

There are many exciting things happening in the world of legal information systems.  One innovative graphical presentation approach has been taken by Ravel.  We were recently fortunate to have Daniel respond to our questions in the following article.

2013 Top Ten Websites Award - Call for Nominations!

The Forum on the Advancement of Court Technology (FACT), a special committee of NACM, is pleased to invite you to nominate a court or court-related website for its 2013 Top Ten Websites Award. All nominations are due no later than May 15 to be considered.

Hello, are you a human?

As courts increasingly introduce online services a key question is whether the Internet connected user is an actual person to validate the action?

Court Case Management Systems Part 8: Criminal Case Sentencing and Consequences

Criminal sentence data is one of the most challenging aspects in Court Case Management Systems design.  This chapter in our ongoing series forwards some ideas on the subject.

California Courts Qualify CMS Vendors

Three case management system providers have been approved by a consortium of California trial courts.

This and That in Court Technology - March 2013

News we have heard from the world of court technology.

Michigan Electronic Filing Manager System Announced

Last year the CTB announced the release of a request for proposal for a statewide E-filing electronic filing manager system for the State of Michigan.  The contract/award was announced today.

Computer Assisted Deception Detection

One of the courts key functions is determining "the truth" in testimony.  There is work being done to provide automated assistance.

Court Scheduling Reform Advocated

In an editorial following the recent and tragic shootings in Wilmington, Delaware on February 12, 2013, there was a call for reform of court scheduling.

More on Open Document Format (ODF)

ODF is an XML international standard for word processing documents that is now fully supported in Microsoft's recent release of Office 2013.  Why does this matter?

CITOC Innovation Award Winner – Barbara Holmes

At the Court Information Technology Officers Consortium (CITOC) Annual Meeting held in December 2012 in Las Vegas, the first Innovation Award winner was announced.

Indiana Courts E-Filing Project Primer

The Indiana Division of State Court Administration has posted a very useful web page on creating and implementing an E-filing system.

CTC 2013 Big Idea Reminder

Don't forget to submit your "Big Ideas" for CTC 2013.  Click here to connect to the survey.

This and That in Court Technology – Groundhog Day 2013 Edition

Some news that we have picked up from the court tech world.  And for our international friends, here is a link to information about what Groundhog Day is and even better, the film.

Court Case Management Systems Part 7: Criminal Charges and Data Sharing

This chapter in our court case management series discusses criminal charge-related issues.

With E-Filing Increasing in Trial Courts, Legislatures Consider How Clerks Are to Create a Record on Appeal

Cross posted from the NCSC Gavel to Gavel blog

NIEM Townhall and CLCT Privacy and Public Access Conference Announcements

Two educational programs were announced by NIEM and the Center for Legal & Court Technology.

CTC 2013 Ideas Requested

The NCSC is asking our court and technology friends what you want to see at CTC 2013?

Court Policies Issued

Several courts have issued new court policies dealing with electronic device use in the courthouse, E-filing, and the California Attorney General provides mobile application privacy recommendations.

Massachusetts Announces Public Access Program

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Probate and Family Court is pleased to announce that publicly available Estate and Administration cases are now accessible via the internet.

Skating to Where the Puck is Going

Celebrating the recent settlement of the National Hockey League labor dispute, we pay homage to Wayne "The Great" Gretsky's quote:  “Skate where the puck is going, not where it’s been”, this week we look at what courts could use from the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) show in Las Vegas.

Arizona Courts Release Judicial Decision Support RFP

The  Arizona  Supreme  Court  is  requesting proposals  from  qualified  bidders  to  provide  an  automated  judicial  decision  support system  designed  to  reduce  the  courts  reliance  on  paper  that  will  allow  for  real-time updating  and  viewing  of  digital  case  documents.

To download a PDF copy of the RFP click here.

Pennsylvania Expands Internet Access to Case Records

Via Press Release, January 7, 2013 - Pennsylvania CMS Internet access to records expanded.

This and That in Court Tech – January 2013

Here are some things that recently happened in court technology and related areas.