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July 13, 2011 By Brian Heaton
Those getting a traffic ticket in South Carolina still won’t be happy about a citation, but paying the fine now should be less of a hassle.
The South Carolina Judicial Department recently completed a rollout of its Judicial Case Management System, which allows for online payment of tickets in all 46 of the state’s counties. Tickets can now be paid using a credit card or debit card either in-person or online, making the payment process faster and more efficient.
“The main goal was to make it easier for citizens to have access to the courts and be more convenient to pay their fees and fines, especially out-of-state violators,” said Scott Hayes, applications manager of the South Carolina Judicial Department. “The No. 1 question that was asked is, ‘Can I pay with a credit card?’ and No. 2, ‘Can I pay online?’ They are paying their bills [online] at home, so we wanted to provide the same sort of functionality and ease to do that.”
The system, which also serves as an online storehouse for statewide court information such as case status and history, connects South Carolina’s circuit courts — which handle criminal and general issues — and its magistrate courts, which handle lower court cases.
Hayes explained that the project has been 10 years in the making, starting in 2001. Using federal grant funds, the state put in case management systems, case networks, rewired buildings and provided equipment so that the courts could all share information and bring the legal system in line with current technology.
“Previously all of our counties were independent, with their own systems,” Hayes said. “Over the years, we’ve gone out individually, county by county and converted all their data. We provided conversion and training for all the courts in the state, so it has been a long process.”
Evolution Continues
Upgrades to the online court systems in South Carolina are just beginning. Hayes revealed that the courts are focusing on a lot more electronic records filing and laying the foundation to give people statewide better access to the courts. He said a number of database projects are in the works to help improve information flow, both for the public and the legal community.
A new electronic family court system is planned for 2013, as are similar projects for South Carolina’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. Attorneys practicing in the state also have some modernization headed their way, pertaining to identification and notification.
Hayes said a networked contact system for lawyers is also forthcoming. Currently attorneys have to individually keep all 46 state counties abreast of changes to their contact information. That will change in October, making it easier for the courts to get in touch with lawyers who have pending cases and business in various jurisdictions.
“One of our biggest hurdles is that we want to do e-mail notifications,” Hayes said. With the attorney contacts system, lawyers will be able to keep their information up-to-date with the state Supreme Court, and all counties will interface into this system to get real-time information.
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This really isn't about the "customer." As with most traffic enforcement issues these day's, it's about how to funnel money into the system quicker and with fewer employees to pay. Just don't be surprised when 10 years from now you are forced to pay online.
* "day's" should be "days"
Electronic Systems will not work as long as the information that has been put in is not accurate, i.e., such as the correct name completely. I've seen the Middle name used then the 1st name, They are turned around, and then addresses they are using and sometimes live at another address, driving cars of another owner of different address or the house still under the maiden name, who happenes to have the same name of the one arrested but they have a house in a different county under their married name? How are they continued to be insured; then the other counties have info as a possible 1st time offense but because of the way the name was turned around it could have been the 2nd offense or 3rd offense! Birthday seem to be accurate. All persons arrested with their names turned around being used this way, flaws the system. Deputy's and Sheriff's and Judges can not see the full capacity of the problem being done over and over again maybe in surrounding counties! I have seen it in the judicial web site on arrests of the same people in different counties. These people are driving on the wrong side of the road,or doing meth, possession of weapons, Burglary/stealing, fraudulant checks, suspended license, but are still driving and getting arrested and out again and doing it over! Just a suggestion for a better accurate input into the electronic system! Thank yo, just trying to help.