New JTC paper makes case for judicial tools

Judicial Dashboard screenshot, courtesy Wisconsin Court System

The Joint Technology Committee (JTC) has released a new resource bulletin, “Making the Case for Judicial Tools.”

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In today’s world of electronic case records and electronic evidence, we need to re-imagine the kinds of tools and features judges need to support decision-making and manage caseloads.  It’s more than simply accessing electronic records – judges need flexible, configurable, action-oriented tools to accommodate varying needs of different types of proceedings and case types.  This paper focuses on two goals to help courts deal with the challenge.  The first is to introduce the concept of judicial caseflow management to shape future technology discussions. The second goal is to identify considerations and recommendations in creating configurable judicial tools and eBench products that meet judicial needs while improving the business capabilities and processes of judges on the bench and in chambers. In December 2013, the JTC appointed a Judicial Tools Working Group to research and document technology and judicial case management needs. This paper is the first product of that work, and is one of several publications the JTC has prepared in recent months.  Go to the JTC website for more details.