COMPUTER SUPPORT FOR THE COURTS - A CASE FOR CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM

• NCJ Number: 16141
• Journal: Judicature Volume: 57 Issue: 2 Dated: (AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1973) Pages: 52-55
• Author(s): M E MACDONALD
• Date Published: 1973
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: American Judicature Soc
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

A REVIEW OF STANDARD COMPUTER USES IN THE COURTS, INNOVATIVE APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING TO COURT PROBLEMS, AND CAUTIONS TO BE OBSERVED IN THE USE OF COURT COMPUTERS.

Abstract

COMPUTERIZED JURY SYSTEMS, COMPUTER CONTROL OF COURT DOCKETS, AND COMPUTER MODELS OF THE COURTS ARE AMONG THE APPLICATIONS OF ELECTRONIC DATA PROCESSING DISCUSSED. NEW USES FOR COMPUTERS IN THE COURTS INCLUDE A COMPUTERIZED STENOTYPE TRANSLATION SYSTEM FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COURT TRANSCRIPTS, COMPUTER PREPARATION OF PERIODIC OR SPECIAL MANAGEMENT REPORTS FOR THE COURTS, AND INTEGRATED CRIMINAL JUSTICE COMPUTER SYSTEMS. THE NEED FOR CLOSE COORDINATION BETWEEN THE COMPUTER SCIENTIST AND USER IN DESIGNING COMPUTER SYSTEMS FOR THE COURTS IS STRESSED. ALSO DISCUSSED ARE DATA SECURITY, THE NECESSITY TO LIMIT ACCESS TO CERTAIN COURT INFORMATION SUCH AS JUVENILE RECORDS, AND THE NEED TO COORDINATE USER NEEDS INTO A COMPUTER SYSTEM DESIGN.