This and That in Court Technology – August, 2017

https://goo.gl/PLWoi1

A big CTC-2017 promotion (especially if you are hungry), an upcoming JTC webinar, big E-filing news, Wyoming court automation fees introduced, space and cost savings by the US Federal Courts, and a little tip in this month’s court tech news amalgamation.

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CTC-2017 is offering a chance to win dinner with the keynote speaker?

You’re already registered for CTC 2017. But it’s not too late to bring a friend or two along.

Get a colleague to register for CTC 2017 and you won’t just be doing them a professional favor—there’s something in it for both of you. You’ll have the chance to win an exclusive dinner with our keynote speaker, cybersecurity expert Mark Lanterman.

Mark Lanterman, chief technology officer of Minneapolis-based Computer Forensic Services, will speak about recent high-profile cyber-crime events, as well as dangerous threats that could affect courts. After he speaks, save your follow-up questions for dinner.

Here’s how our contest works:

If you’re a registered attendee and you encourage at least one colleague to register for CTC 2017, the two of you will be eligible to win a drawing to have dinner on Tuesday, Sept. 12 with Lanterman. The dinner will be on us, and the conversation will be fascinating.

To be eligible, just get a colleague to register and have that colleague enter the word KEYNOTE in the box marked "PROMO CODE." The more colleagues you convince to register, the more likely your chance will be to have dinner with our keynote speaker.

To be entered to win, registration must be completed by August 31st!
Start spreading the word! Good luck!

Courts Disrupted Webinar – Monday, August 28, 2017 at Noon to 2:00 PM CDT

The Joint Technology Committee (JTC) has released a new Resource Bulletin titled “Courts Disrupted.” This paper takes a captivating look at today’s fast-changing world of innovation and public expectations. Recognizing courts will not remain untouched by disruptive innovation, the paper encourages embracing rather than resisting the opportunities to improve business processes and make justice more readily available to a wider audience.

As technology dramatically changes the way routine transactions are handled in other industries, courts can also embrace innovation as one way to enhance the public’s experience. Doing so may help courts “disrupt” themselves, making justice available to a wider audience at a lower cost while preserving fairness, neutrality, and transparency in the judicial process.”

This webinar explores some of the disruptive innovations discussed in the paper and contemplates how courts can leverage opportunities for change while staying focused on their core mission.

Presented by David Slayton, Administrative Director – Office of Court Administration, Executive Director – Texas Judicial Council and Paul Embley, Chief Information Officer, National Center for State Courts

Click here to register for the presentation.

E-Filing Coming to the Supreme Court of the United States

A press release issued on August 3, 2017 states:

“The Supreme Court’s new electronic filing system will begin operation on November 13, 2017. A quick link on the Court’s website homepage will provide access to the new system, developed in-house to provide prompt and easy access to case documents. Once the system is in place, virtually all new filings will be accessible without cost to the public and legal community.

Initially the official filing of documents will continue to be on paper in all cases, but parties who are represented by counsel will also be required to submit electronic versions of documents through the electronic filing system. The filings will then be posted to the Court’s docket and made available to the public through the Court’s website. Filings from parties appearing pro se will not be submitted through the electronic filing system, but will be scanned by Court personnel and made available for public access on the electronic docket.

Attorneys who expect to file documents at the Court will register in advance to obtain access to the electronic filing system. Registration will open 4-8 weeks before the system begins operation. Additional information about the system is available through the “Electronic Filing” quick link on the Supreme Court’s website: https://www.supremecourt.gov/.

Wyoming Institutes Court Automation Fee to Update Courtrooms

From Wyomingnews.com via Bill Raftery here at the NCSC we learned:

“Some Wyoming courtrooms are in such dire need of technological upgrades that they don’t even have adequate microphones or enough electrical power.

But an increase in court automation fees approved by the state Legislature this year aims to change that.

Since July 1, people using Wyoming courts now have to pay $15 more in automation fees when filing in probate and civil matters in district court, filing civil matters in circuit court and filing petitions in the state Supreme Court.

They also pay a $25 fee, up from $20, if they have been found guilty in a criminal case or are placed on probation. Cities and towns across the state are now able to impose the increased fee for people found guilty of violating a local ordinance.”

The remainder of the article describes the need and what the fees will be used for in the future including better online public access to court records and electronic filing.

US Federal Courts Video on Paper Reduction and Space/Cost Savings

In an article posted on August 3, 2017 the US Federal Courts write (and video):

“The judiciary has made it a mission to reduce space and cost, all while improving efficiency. A new U.S. Courts video shows how the Judiciary is reducing building space by storing files electronically, eliminating the need for large rooms to shelve paper documents.

The reduced use of paper in Chicago, Denver and West Palm Beach offices has helped save the judiciary millions in rent bills and taxpayer dollars.

The video demonstrates how technology not only improves organization and cuts cost for the judiciary but also benefits the environment by eliminating wasteful material.

Cool Tools

Now for a little secret.  We all have “dead time” when we just want a little mental (shopping) inspiration.  One of my “go to” sites is Kevin Kelly’s Cool Tools.  It works well even on smart phones.  Check it out at http://kk.org/cooltools