Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Survey Targets Courts Using Social Media
Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Blogs. The list is seemingly endless. The NCSC is assisting the Conference of Court Public Information Officers, with collecting questionnaire responses for the first major survey on new media and the courts. To learn more, and to access the survey go to: http://icmelearning.com/CCPIO/index.html
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Why the Future Is Not Paper - First in a Series
This is the first in a series of notes on how the future court document and file environment is not going to look like the current paper-based systems. I wrote a paper many years ago that used the analogy of automobiles. The first autos looked like horse carriages. Does your car look like a carriage now?
One very interesting approach was recently posted by Microsoft Research. The system is called Pivot and it uses the DeepZoom and Silverlight technology that has been shown in recent years. It is difficult to explain. For several video presentations on the new technology go to: http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/pivotviewer/
Pivot uses JPEG images and so after seeing the demonstrations please note that there are several software applications that can convert PDF pages to images. One that I tested successfully is Office Converter: http://www.officeconvert.com/
One very interesting approach was recently posted by Microsoft Research. The system is called Pivot and it uses the DeepZoom and Silverlight technology that has been shown in recent years. It is difficult to explain. For several video presentations on the new technology go to: http://www.microsoft.com/silverlight/pivotviewer/
Pivot uses JPEG images and so after seeing the demonstrations please note that there are several software applications that can convert PDF pages to images. One that I tested successfully is Office Converter: http://www.officeconvert.com/
Iowa EDMS Makes Progress
Thanks to our colleague, Larry Murphy, we learned of a Des Moines Register newspaper article pubished on June 7, 2010 titled: More online court filings seen for Iowa. The article notes that the EDMS became operational in Plymouth County, Iowa in January and they hope to pilot the system in Story County, Iowa in September. The article further stated:
"The Plymouth County test took longer than the 90-day pilot period so staff members could fix glitches before expanding the system to other counties, Bosier said. 'We're trying to go about this very carefully and do it properly,' he said. "I'd rather it be a little slower getting there, instead of rushing through and getting it wrong."
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Recrafting Government as an Open Platform
The ITJobBlog in the United Kingdom has posted an article on a recently issued report from the Centre for Technology Policy Research. The post titled - Recrafting government as an open platform notes that:
http://www.itjoblog.co.uk/2010/05/government-open-platform.html
The entire Centre for Technology Policy Research report: Open Government, Some Next Steps for the UK can be downloaded in PDF from:
http://ctpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/CTPR-Report-Open-Government.pdf
"Cultural changes are necessary to create an Internet-aware government, the document says. A vision must be created by leadership, outlining guiding principles that must then be enforced."The article also goes on to state:
"Audits should focus on outcomes, while enabling departments to achieve those goals using their own means. Opening up access to social media tools may help them to meet their objectives, by helping governmental organisations to listen to feedback from traditionally under-represented groups, such as front line workers. Other tools that could help to achieve positive outcomes include real-time communication tools such as live chat."You can read the entire article at:
http://www.itjoblog.co.uk/2010/05/government-open-platform.html
The entire Centre for Technology Policy Research report: Open Government, Some Next Steps for the UK can be downloaded in PDF from:
http://ctpr.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/CTPR-Report-Open-Government.pdf
Social Media and the Courts
The NCSC Knowledge and Information Services has collected a plethora of resources on the Social Media phenomena and how courts are adapting to and using Twitter, Facebook and similar services. The web page can be found at:
http://www.ncsc.org/topics/media-relations/social-media-and-the-courts/resource-guide.aspx
http://www.ncsc.org/topics/media-relations/social-media-and-the-courts/resource-guide.aspx
Friday, May 21, 2010
Videoconference Appellate Argument Website
We recently ran across a nice web page by the public affairs TV channel, C-SPAN that was created for the Arar v. Ashcroft oral arguments before the US Federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals. There are a couple of interesting technical presentation ideas presented on the web page.
First, they have created a time-synchronization presentation between the written and video transcript that makes it easy to navigate through the argument.
Second, now Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, is participating via a videoconference link. The presiding judge has some kind of signal from her when she needs to interrupt to ask a question.
The web page can be viewed at Arar v. Ashcroft argument web page at C-SPAN.
First, they have created a time-synchronization presentation between the written and video transcript that makes it easy to navigate through the argument.
Second, now Supreme Court Justice, Sonia Sotomayor, is participating via a videoconference link. The presiding judge has some kind of signal from her when she needs to interrupt to ask a question.
The web page can be viewed at Arar v. Ashcroft argument web page at C-SPAN.
Lawyer Uses YouTube for Video Depositions
Thanks to our good friend Jim Drubert in Montgomery County, Ohio we learned of an attorney using YouTube to store the video portion of their electronic pleading. According to the Maryland Daily Record in an article published on May 17, 2010 the Louisiana Lawyer:
"John Denenea, Jr. has essentially incorporated the video deposition into his opposition to summary judgment. As most lawyers know, a video deposition can be much more effective than the transcribed version because the viewer can observe witness behavior, including those long pauses before answering questions that do not appear on the transcribed version."The article: Filing civil pleadings on YouTube contains links to the pleadings and one of the videos.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Alaska Issues RFP
On May 12, 2010 the following announcement was made.
The Alaska Court System is soliciting for an Appellate Court Case Management System. Sealed proposals will be accepted in accordance with terms and conditions of the RFP until 2:30 p.m. AST Monday, June 28, 2010.
Details are posted on the State of Alaska Online Public Notice website.
The Alaska Court System is soliciting for an Appellate Court Case Management System. Sealed proposals will be accepted in accordance with terms and conditions of the RFP until 2:30 p.m. AST Monday, June 28, 2010.
Details are posted on the State of Alaska Online Public Notice website.
US Federal Courts Are Busy!
The April 2010 edition of The Third Branch US Federal Courts newsletter contains four very interesting court IT related articles. They are:
Friday, May 7, 2010
Canadian Forum on Court Technology Scheduled
Our friends at the Canadian Centre for Court Technology has announced they will be hosting their first Canadian Forum on Court Technology in Ottawa from September 22-23, 2010. They are listing twenty-two session in three tracks and the NCSC is happy to be a supporter of the event. For more information see the conference website at: http://www.ccct-cctj.ca/forum/en/
Online Traffic Payments System in Cook County
Public Safety IT magazine published an article in their March/April, 2010 issue on "Paying traffic tickets online in Cook County, IL". Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Hon. Dorothy Brown states that:
"It enables individuals to rapidly and conveniently respond to their traffic violations and, if they so choose, pay associated fines and other charges safely and securely on their home computers."
Thursday, April 29, 2010
California Issues Report on Statewide CCMS Project
The Government Technology magazine website posted an article on April 26, 2010 titled: California Court Case Management System Needs a Cost Cap, Review Finds.
The link to the complete CIO report in PDF is: http://www.cio.ca.gov/pdf/CCMS_Final_Report.pdf
The link to the complete CIO report in PDF is: http://www.cio.ca.gov/pdf/CCMS_Final_Report.pdf
Monday, April 19, 2010
All-In-One PCs Cut Power Consumption
The fact that many court clerks offices and chambers are cramped for space does not come as a surprise to those who suffer in those conditions every day. The addition of a full sized desktop computer, especially when full sized CRT displays were used did not help the situation. But during the past year a new form factor for standard PCs has been introduced by the manufacturers, the All-In-One computer. Of course this is not new for Apple iMac users, but for the rest of us, this is a good development.
What is meant by an All-In-One computer? Simply it means that the parts of the computer; the hard disk, DVD/CD drive, processor, and memory are placed behind the display screen resulting in one compact package. In addition, many All-In-One computers have touch-screen capability that could potentially help to speed data entry with the proper programming.
But why else am I writing about this? It is because the All-In-One computer format is also a green machine in that it uses much less electrical power than the standard desktop computer. The All-In-Ones I looked at used a 65 watt or lower power supply. In contrast, a survey of currently available desktop PCs showed they used from a low of 220, to a high of 450 watts of power each. Multiply this by 25, 50, or 100 computers this turns into a significant amount of power and heat.
If you are interested in more detailed information; I found the following review article for this style of machine from last fall on the Computer Shopper website. It provides a quick overview of the All-In-One machines that were available at the time.
http://www.computershopper.com/back-to-school/2009/reviewed-nine-all-in-one-desktop-pcs-for-students
What is meant by an All-In-One computer? Simply it means that the parts of the computer; the hard disk, DVD/CD drive, processor, and memory are placed behind the display screen resulting in one compact package. In addition, many All-In-One computers have touch-screen capability that could potentially help to speed data entry with the proper programming.
But why else am I writing about this? It is because the All-In-One computer format is also a green machine in that it uses much less electrical power than the standard desktop computer. The All-In-Ones I looked at used a 65 watt or lower power supply. In contrast, a survey of currently available desktop PCs showed they used from a low of 220, to a high of 450 watts of power each. Multiply this by 25, 50, or 100 computers this turns into a significant amount of power and heat.
If you are interested in more detailed information; I found the following review article for this style of machine from last fall on the Computer Shopper website. It provides a quick overview of the All-In-One machines that were available at the time.
http://www.computershopper.com/back-to-school/2009/reviewed-nine-all-in-one-desktop-pcs-for-students
US Federal Courts Update Public Access Policies
The March, 2010 edition of The Third Branch Federal Court newsletter contains an interesting article: Judicial Conference Approves Steps to Improve Public Access. The article describes several actions to decrease the cost of using their PACER public access system and to make digital audio recordings available. The article also noted that in 2009:
"PACER received more than 360 million requests for electronic access to information from the over 33 million federal cases that have documents online."
Friday, April 9, 2010
More PDF Security Problems
On top of previous warnings, Adobe and FoxIt have announced actions that users should implement to prevent malicious programs from being automatically launched when opening an infected PDF file. An excellent article on the subject was posted on the ZDNet blog Zero Day by Ryan Naraine and Dancho Danchev at:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=6028&tag=nl.e550
Program security updates are expected to be released during the week of April 12, 2010.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=6028&tag=nl.e550
Program security updates are expected to be released during the week of April 12, 2010.
e-Courts Conference Agendas Posted
Earlier this week the conference agendas for both the e-Courts East Tampa, Florida - Sept 13-15 and e-Courts West Las Vegas, Nevada - December 13-15 were posted on the conference website. And additional information regarding the vendor exposition has also been listed. The conferences are really coming together with many new ideas being shared for the first time.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
This and that on April Fools Day
We've been collecting a few items of interest over the past few weeks. The first is the BlackBox Wireless Video Presentation System. This small box connects to a prjector or flat panel via their VGA interface and allows one to connect your laptop via Wi-Fi to display your presentations and video. Further, it lets up to 254 users share and swap the connection and allows for a 4-to-1 screen-split projection.
Second, we participated in one of the series of Law.gov project seminars at Cornell University. The first of many project goals are to develop "detailed technical specifications for markup, authentication, bulk access, and other aspects of a distributed registry" for legal materials. The project's website is: http://resource.org/law.gov/ A list of upcoming events can be viewed at:
http://legalinformatics.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/law-gov-upcoming-events-updated/
Third, we had the honor to visit to the Fayette County, Pennsylvania courthouse. Courtroom Number 1 literally brings the phrase "Temple of Justice" to mind. Interestingly in the courthouse law library was a display for local crafts-people who had made book bags from... recycled law books. To see what we mean visit their website at: http://www.bookbags.us.com/
Second, we participated in one of the series of Law.gov project seminars at Cornell University. The first of many project goals are to develop "detailed technical specifications for markup, authentication, bulk access, and other aspects of a distributed registry" for legal materials. The project's website is: http://resource.org/law.gov/ A list of upcoming events can be viewed at:
http://legalinformatics.wordpress.com/2010/03/10/law-gov-upcoming-events-updated/
Third, we had the honor to visit to the Fayette County, Pennsylvania courthouse. Courtroom Number 1 literally brings the phrase "Temple of Justice" to mind. Interestingly in the courthouse law library was a display for local crafts-people who had made book bags from... recycled law books. To see what we mean visit their website at: http://www.bookbags.us.com/
Friday, March 26, 2010
Some Courts Are Using E-Mail for E-Filing
During some recent research we ran across several courts that are allowing E-mail as a method for electronic filing of court documents. The North Dakota Supreme Court order providing guidance for e-filing using e-mail can be viewed at:
http://www.ndcourts.com/court/rules/Administrative/AO14.htm
Similarly the UK Courts Service guidance for using e-mail to submit documents can be seen at:
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/email_guidance/email_guidance_general.htm
And last, in an earlier CTB article we discovered that Israel is also using e-mail as part of their system.
http://www.ndcourts.com/court/rules/Administrative/AO14.htm
Similarly the UK Courts Service guidance for using e-mail to submit documents can be seen at:
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/email_guidance/email_guidance_general.htm
And last, in an earlier CTB article we discovered that Israel is also using e-mail as part of their system.
Justice Reference Architecture Implementation Competition Announced
The National Center for State Courts and SEARCH Group — on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance BJA — are pleased to announce that they are seeking proposals to design and implement information sharing solutions that utilize the Justice Reference Architecture JRA. The JRA applies principles of Service Oriented Architecture SOA across the justice and public safety communities to improve information sharing capabilities.
The goal of this project is for award recipients hereinafter called project participants to employ JRA concepts in the definition of information exchange requirements and to demonstrate full-scale architecture design and implementation of JRA-conformant information exchanges within their environments or with external partners. Awards will be made to successful candidates as follows:
Maximum Award Amount: $100,000
Maximum Number of Awards: 2
No match is required; however, projects funded under this solicitation are expected to demonstrate long-term financial viability and may incur additional local costs.
It is the intent of this project to make one award to a State or Major Urban Area Fusion Center that is capable of implementing the JRA as described below. Priority consideration will be given to Fusion Center proposals that leverage existing Global products, standards, and initiatives.
The full announcement can be viewed at the SEARCH Group's website at:
http://www.search.org/programs/info/jra/
The goal of this project is for award recipients hereinafter called project participants to employ JRA concepts in the definition of information exchange requirements and to demonstrate full-scale architecture design and implementation of JRA-conformant information exchanges within their environments or with external partners. Awards will be made to successful candidates as follows:
Maximum Award Amount: $100,000
Maximum Number of Awards: 2
No match is required; however, projects funded under this solicitation are expected to demonstrate long-term financial viability and may incur additional local costs.
It is the intent of this project to make one award to a State or Major Urban Area Fusion Center that is capable of implementing the JRA as described below. Priority consideration will be given to Fusion Center proposals that leverage existing Global products, standards, and initiatives.
The full announcement can be viewed at the SEARCH Group's website at:
http://www.search.org/programs/info/jra/
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Federal Courts Report on Sealed Cases and Probation E-Filing
The February, 2010 edition of the US Federal Courts Newsletter, The Third Branch has two articles of interest. The first article, FJC Report Focuses on Sealed Cases in Federal Courts reports that only .5 percent of cases were completely sealed. This is of interested for electronic document automation because of the amount and type of technology that may need to be used.
The second article, Electronic Filing by Probation and Pretrial Services Speeds Up Court Process, Reduces Paper identifies many advantages to the use of E-Filing. Specific benefits cited were the elimination of lost paperwork, easy certification of the record, and as part of their continuity of operations planning since the records would be available from anywhere they could set up a computer system with comunications.
The second article, Electronic Filing by Probation and Pretrial Services Speeds Up Court Process, Reduces Paper identifies many advantages to the use of E-Filing. Specific benefits cited were the elimination of lost paperwork, easy certification of the record, and as part of their continuity of operations planning since the records would be available from anywhere they could set up a computer system with comunications.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Online Credit Card Security Standards
An important part of modern court operations is the ability to accept credit/debit card payment and if desired say in an E-filing system; be able to store the credit card number with the user account to make the system easier to use. The Security Standards Council that was formed by the credit card industry has produced detailed standards “to enhance payment account data security”. In particular courts should examine the PCI Data Security Standard PCI DSS as a core functional specification for their credit card systems. As stated on the standards web page the “core of the PCI is a group of principles and accompanying requirements” are:
Build and Maintain a Secure Network
Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
Protect Cardholder Data
Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program
Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software
Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Implement Strong Access Control Measures
Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data
Regularly Monitor and Test Networks
Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes
Maintain an Information Security Policy
Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security
Build and Maintain a Secure Network
Requirement 1: Install and maintain a firewall configuration to protect cardholder data
Requirement 2: Do not use vendor-supplied defaults for system passwords and other security parameters
Protect Cardholder Data
Requirement 3: Protect stored cardholder data
Requirement 4: Encrypt transmission of cardholder data across open, public networks
Maintain a Vulnerability Management Program
Requirement 5: Use and regularly update anti-virus software
Requirement 6: Develop and maintain secure systems and applications
Implement Strong Access Control Measures
Requirement 7: Restrict access to cardholder data by business need-to-know
Requirement 8: Assign a unique ID to each person with computer access
Requirement 9: Restrict physical access to cardholder data
Regularly Monitor and Test Networks
Requirement 10: Track and monitor all access to network resources and cardholder data
Requirement 11: Regularly test security systems and processes
Maintain an Information Security Policy
Requirement 12: Maintain a policy that addresses information security
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Court Costs and Electronic Discovery
The electronic transition continues. On February 1, 2010 Austin, Texas attorney Craig Ball published an interested article titled - Are We Just Makin' Copies? in Law Technology News. In the article he argues that the Federal Court Rules of Civil Procedure must be updated to recognize new realities and to create a consistent approach to court cost recovery.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Florida State Courts Administrator Issues RFP for Governance Study
The Florida Office of State Courts Administrator, Strategic Planning Unity has recently issued a Request for Proposals for a Judicial Branch Governance Study. The RFP is in concert with Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC09-43 issued in October, 2009 that:
Directs the Judicial Branch Governance Study Group to undertake an in-depth study of the current governance system of the judicial branch of Florida. The study group is directed to submit a final report and recommendations to the court no later than December 31, 2010.
The order further directs that the report shall contain:
1 An examination of the structure and functions of the present governance system of the Florida judicial branch and an assessment of its efficacy and efficiency;
2 Recommendations of actions or activities that the study group concludes would advance improvement in the governance of the judicial branch; and,
3 Recommendations of any changes to the present governance system that the study group concludes would
improve the effective and efficient management of the Florida judicial branch.
A copy of the RFP in PDF form can be downloaded from:
http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/purchasing/bin/RFP-10-001-BF.pdf
Directs the Judicial Branch Governance Study Group to undertake an in-depth study of the current governance system of the judicial branch of Florida. The study group is directed to submit a final report and recommendations to the court no later than December 31, 2010.
The order further directs that the report shall contain:
1 An examination of the structure and functions of the present governance system of the Florida judicial branch and an assessment of its efficacy and efficiency;
2 Recommendations of actions or activities that the study group concludes would advance improvement in the governance of the judicial branch; and,
3 Recommendations of any changes to the present governance system that the study group concludes would
improve the effective and efficient management of the Florida judicial branch.
A copy of the RFP in PDF form can be downloaded from:
http://www.flcourts.org/gen_public/purchasing/bin/RFP-10-001-BF.pdf
Thursday, February 4, 2010
US Federal Courts Provide Guidance on Juror Smart Phone Use
On January 24th, the US Federal Courts Judicial Comittee on Court Administration and Case Management for the US District Courts issued instructions to be provided to jurors regarding the use of cell phones and computers during their service.
A Network World article posted on February 2, 2010 titled - Courts move to ban juror use of Blackberry, iPhone, Twitter and Facebook provides a summary of this action.
The court instructions can be downloaded in PDF at: http://www.uscourts.gov/newsroom/2010/DIR10-018.pdf
A Network World article posted on February 2, 2010 titled - Courts move to ban juror use of Blackberry, iPhone, Twitter and Facebook provides a summary of this action.
The court instructions can be downloaded in PDF at: http://www.uscourts.gov/newsroom/2010/DIR10-018.pdf
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
COSCA Whitepaper on Digital Recording
The Conference of State Court Administrators adopted the white paper titled - Digital Recording: Changing Times for Making the Record at their December, 2009 meeting. The paper notes challenges to the current method listing the Decline in Court Reporter Resources and Efficient, Timely Transcript Production and Access to the Record. The also note opportunities of Digital Recording including the Fundamentals of the technology, access, administrative control, integration of digital recordings with CMS and potential for cost savings.
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