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Computers Are Talking in America's Courts

NCJ Number
119483
Journal
Judges' Journal Volume: 28 Issue: 2 Dated: (Spring 1989) Pages: 4-7,54-55
Author(s)
D Weinberg
Date Published
1989
Length
6 pages
Annotation
The use of computers for a variety of court communications is moving out of the experimental phase and is showing promise for improving the administration of justice by improving communications among judges, lawyers, and court administrators.
Abstract
In one part of Pennsylvania, an attorney can check courthouse records from a computer in the law office. A county court clerk in Atlanta can receive electronically a motion for a continuance. In Houston, a State appellate court judge can use a computer to scan an unpublished opinion rendered by a Dallas colleague the previous day. In Washington, D.C. a computer conference can be linked for a computer conference. Such conferences can eliminate many scheduling and travel conflicts, because participants can join the conference at their convenience. They may not eliminate the need for direct conferences, but they can speed the exchange of information and ensure that actual meeting time is used most efficiently. Computerized legal research services such as Westlaw and Lexis are also now common in courthouses and law offices. Finally, judges and lawyers are increasingly using computer communications to take part in bar association activities designed to improve the law and the effective administration of justice.