While there have been great strides made in the justice industry to modernize courtrooms, there are still many courts utilizing paper processes. It’s understandable because paper has been a trusted process for decades. But new technology is paving the way for courts to establish new, more efficient processes that significantly cut time and operating expenses. In this blog post, we explore what In-Court Processing is, why many courts are still hesitant to adopt it, and how this technology is such a game-changer.
Understanding In-Court Processing and its Benefits
Conducting court by taking handwritten notes and filing physical paperwork has been around since the beginning. While it gets the job done, there are now more efficient ways to run a courtroom thanks to advancements in technology. Many case management systems are now equipped with In-Court Processing. Depending on the vendor or system you choose, it may have a different name.
In-Court Processing is the real-time processing of court cases. Rather than spending hours completing paperwork after a hearing has ended, clerks are able to process everything in the courtroom so that when the doors close, the case is finished. Prior to this technology, all case documents had to be physically moved from person to person. For example, when the judge finished, case files were passed off to the clerk and eventually made their way to the cashier. If a case simply involved the defendant making a payment, it would sometimes be hours until the payment was actually made. In-Court Processing revolutionized this process by making everything automatic and allowing clerks to work alongside judges.
Why the Adoption of In-Court Processing Has Taken Time
In-Court Processing sounds great. Courts become more efficient and ultimately save time and money. However, many courts haven’t yet adopted In-Court Processing. Instead, they’ve opted to continue conducting courtroom processes with the use of physical files. The primary reason for this is lack of trust in the system to adhere to unique processes.
Each court has its own unique business processes. Because of this, system configurations are necessary. If the right configurations aren’t made, mistakes can easily happen. Depending on the type of mistake, there could be serious repercussions. For example, someone could be stuck in jail, or the wrong report could be filed, and a court could be fined.
At equivant, we understand that every court is different. Our systems are designed to be easily configured to work with your unique business processes. Our goal is to help you work through the case digitally so that you have the correct judgement document for your defendant, finances are in place, participants are able to pay for cases quickly, and state and local reporting are all configured correctly. Additionally, with over 30 years working with case management systems, we’ve developed case management specifically for judges, resulting in well-rounded case management functions within the courtroom.
Modernizing Your Processes with In-Court Processing and Virtual Court
In-court processing has been a revolutionary technology in the justice industry. In addition, virtual court has really taken off over the last several years and works well in tandem with In-Court processing. When these two technologies are implemented together, everything is done electronically. This includes payments, scheduling, sharing links, and signatures. Not only does this type of system simplify what constituents see in court, it also improves access to justice for everyone.
As courts continue working to empower litigants and improve virtual services, one of the 7 trends we expect to see this year, In-Court Processing and Virtual Court technologies will continue gaining momentum. If you haven’t already conducted an internal audit of your court’s processes and technology, now is the time. Making sure your processes and CMS are built for the future is essential. Not sure where to start? Contact us.
