Senate Journal: Page 72: Wednesday, January 10, 2001

  computer system with theirs.  Through these links, we easily move mountains
  of
  information without paper, postage, or delay.  These partnerships have
  improved a
  wide range of government services and made new services possible.

  These innovations are only the beginning.  We can and must do more.

  BRINGING THE COURTS TO THE PUBLIC

  With the aid of information technology, we can provide a host of court
  services
  where they are needed, when they are needed, any time and any place.  We
  have the
  momentum to do this now.

  WEB SITE (www.judicial.state.ia.us)

  We took a step in this direction in 1998 with the creation of the Iowa
  Judicial
  Branch Web Site.  Our site is first and foremost a public information tool.
  It houses an
  array of useful information about the courts and the legal system.  For
  example, it
  includes (1) basic explanations of court procedures, structure, and history;
  (2)
  biographical information on all Iowa justices, judges, and magistrates; (3)
  appellate
  court opinions; and (4) the child support guidelines.  It also contains
  manuals to assist
  domestic abuse victims.  The manuals are in four languages: English,
  Bosnian,
  Vietnamese and Spanish.

  This year we'll revamp the site, making it easier to use, and we'll add more
  information.

  But with the web site we are just scratching the surface.  We can do much,
  much
  more.

  Think of viewing court records or paying traffic fines or child support from
  the
  convenience of one's home or office.  This would be a huge advantage for
  busy Iowans.
  We are currently working on two projects that will eventually make this
  possible.  They
  are dramatic steps, and we should take them now.

  ON-LINE COURTS

  We are putting the finishing touches on the first step, a program that will
  put court
  dockets on-line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  With this service, Iowans
  will have at
  their fingertips summaries of case information such as court schedules,
  fine-payment
  records, judgments, liens, child support obligations, and other case events,
  from all 99
  counties and the appellate courts.

  We are ready to launch this program once you decide how to fund electronic
  access
  to public records.

  ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT
  MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

  The second step, the centerpiece of our on-line court system, will be a
  program we
  call electronic document management system, or EDMS.  It will enable people
  to
  electronically file their court documents and view entire court files
  on-line.

© 2001 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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