Senate Journal: Page 73: Wednesday, January 10, 2001

  EDMS could eventually result in a paperless court system.  However, I want
  to
  assure you that the Judicial Branch will continue to accommodate citizens
  who want to
  conduct their court business with paper.  We will be equipped to scan paper
  filings into
  the system and to make paper copies when requested.

  After several years of carefully studying the feasibility and cost of EDMS,
  we are
  ready to test it.  In a few months, we will be operating pilot projects in
  Clinton County
  and Dubuque County.  Later this year, we will test the program here at the
  appellate
  level.  After the tests are done, we hope to take this technology statewide.

  But we're not going to stop there.  We can do more.

  VIDEO COURT

  During the recent presidential election saga, Americans had an opportunity
  to
  watch televised arguments before a state appellate court.  At the time, a
  journalist
  asked me if the Iowa Supreme Court would ever allow television coverage of
  its
  proceedings.  He was amazed when I told him that the Iowa Judicial Branch
  has
  allowed cameras in our courts for the past twenty years.  Although we allow
  televised
  coverage, the media has not taken advantage of this by covering proceedings
  gavel-to-
  gavel.

  Unfortunately, the public's perception of the court system is influenced by
  television
  shows such as People's Court, Divorce Court, and Moral Court, the goals of
  which are
  to entertain and sell household cleaners.  Some people fear that video
  broadcasts of the
  courts would undermine the dignity of our court system.  I disagree.
  Television
  broadcasts of real court proceedings, the goals of which are to administer
  justice, will
  promote public understanding and, in turn, heighten respect for our courts
  and the rule
  of law.

  I am pleased to announce that the state's new Judicial Branch Building will
  be
  equipped with everything needed to broadcast proceedings of the Iowa Supreme
  Court
  and the Iowa Court of Appeals.

  TECH FUNDS

  Opportunities of the magnitude I have mentioned require more than careful
  planning and hard work; they require reliable and continuous funding
  sources.

  Dependable funding fosters planning, sparks innovation, and speeds
  deployment of
  new technology.  You wisely recognized this when you created a dedicated
  funding
  stream for court technology and earmarked those funds solely for that
  purpose.  We
  commend you for your foresight.  By doing this, you gave us the power to
  revolutionize
  the court system.  If we take the steps I have outlined, we can bring the
  courts closer to
  the people.

  OTHER STEPS

  While it is true that technology has been the driving force for much of our
  recent
  progress and it offers exciting opportunities for progress in the future, we
  must
  remember that it is not an end in itself.  It is a useful tool to help the
  court system
  perform its basic function of providing justice.

© 2001 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

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