Since 1989, the Supreme Court of Ohio has surveyed trial and appellate courts throughout the state every two years in an effort to assess the technological needs of those courts and to help develop standards that would make all court computers compatible.
"The survey gives the Supreme Court an opportunity to more accurately gauge what is important to local courts, and allows our court to find ways to better assist local courts in meeting their goal of effective justice," Moyer said.
Survey results indicate that 99 percent of Ohio courts now have fully automated case management systems, up from 95 percent in 2000. In addition, approximately 40 percent of courts report having a Web site, up from approximately 25 percent in 2000.
Web sites allow the public to access information on everything about a court from hours of operation to the cases on the docket. Some courts also offer online fee payment services on their sites.
"The survey results demonstrate that an increasing number of courts are using technology as a tool for the efficient administration of justice by judges, clerks and court personnel," Moyer said.
Judge John Bessey, who sits on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and is the chair of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Technology and the Courts agreed. "Technology gives us an opportunity to do a better job than we could do without it, which means we can do a better job of serving the public," he said. "It's important that the court stays relevant. We can't exist in an atmosphere of shuffling papers while everyone else is dealing in microseconds."
Survey results also showed significant increases in the use of the Internet by court employees and in electronic reporting between courts and justice partner agencies, such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Child Support Enforcement Agency.
"Since 1996, we have seen a 100 percent participation rate to the survey," Moyer said. "Judges and court personnel are to be commended for their commitment to completing the survey. This report is a testament to their efforts and dedication to providing justice for all Ohioans."
Mary Beth Parisi, Supreme Court Technology Policy & Planning Manager said the survey supports the direction the court has taken. "From the feedback we gathered through the survey," she said. "We learned that local courts are interested in developing both technology standards and ways to more effectively share information with each other and with their justice system partners."
Information sharing will be one of the topics discussed at the court technology conference, which is sponsored by the Supreme Court of Ohio and the Ohio Judicial Conference, and hosted by the University of Akron School of Law. Bessey will discuss the future Ohio Courts Network. The Ohio Courts Network is intended to be a statewide infrastructure designed to connect all the courts in Ohio.
Also scheduled to speak is Michael Stein of Intelligent Directions Consulting. Stein, who has focused on information sharing and the development of IT strategies during his 30 years in the field, will give a keynote address on electronically integrated justice systems.
Other workshop subjects will include electronic filing, technology standards, and public access to court records.
