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Monday, December 05, 2005

Courts - More on : Kentucky website on courts criticized, compared

Recall the Louisville Courier Journal article from Sunday, Nov 27th, that said, among other things: "Kentucky has put court records online for the public, but the state's new Web site provides virtually no useful information, some users say." (See ILB entry here.)

Well, today the LCJ has a letter from the Chief Deputy Clerk, Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk's Office in Louisville. He writes:

As a longtime employee of the state courts, I concur with The Courier-Journal's Nov. 27 story about the minimalist information on the state court's Web site. While I understand the Administrative Office of the Court's concern over the potential loss of a citizens' privacy, I don't believe they have done their homework.

Court systems across the country have long since resolved these issues and have begun allowing more and more interaction via the Internet. States that have emerged on the leading edge of this technology have seen huge savings of money and resources. Additionally, accepting debit or credit cards over the Internet effectively solves the problem of bounced checks, since the transfer of funds is immediate.

Before I became chief deputy clerk, I worked at AOC and coordinated the effort to build our new computer case-management system, KYCOURTS. This system was built in Louisville because it is the largest and busiest court in Kentucky, and because Circuit Court Clerk Tony Miller has long supported using technology to improve the service the court system offers to the public. KYCOURTS was created specifically with the platforms necessary to provide information over the Web, as well as the ability to transact court business via the Web.

With the encouragement of the Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk's office, The Courier-Journal and the citizens of our community, the AOC must come around to the reality that having information is what makes democracy great. Let's continue to work together to put them ahead, rather than behind the curve.

RUSS SALSMAN
Chief Deputy Clerk
Jefferson Circuit Court Clerk's Office
Louisville 40023

[Thanks to the Kentucky Law Blog for catching the letter.]

Posted by Marcia Oddi on December 5, 2005 02:24 PM
Posted to Indiana Courts