Among many things, the global pandemic shaped out a new vision for the future of justice. Since the access to the legal system as a whole was challenged during the global pandemic’s outbreak, different countries and judicial systems started digitalizing their processes with the ultimate goal caseload to be handled more efficiently.
Of course, every revolutionary change that solves problems also brings new challenges. With a good cloud strategy, courts can reap mostly the benefits of digital transformation: reducing costs, improving the speed of procedures, increasing transparency of judicial proceedings.
Unprecedented events such as the global pandemic require faster response in the adoption of digital infrastructure for court management. Practically it means change of priorities and quickly formulating requirements for the integration of court management software solutions.
When changes happen on a faster scale in the public sector, there’s always a big risk of errors. Therefore, having a trusted partner who can provide a proven expertise and advise on complex requirements formulation is a good idea. If we have to make a list with 5 directions for formulating functional requirements for court management software, it will start with:
Court case management
Managing cases in judicial institution is usually related with a lot of paperwork. Let’s take for example the path of paperwork in a criminal case. It usually goes through different offices in different locations. From the desk of the Police department to the Prosecutor’s office and then to the Defense Attorney’s inbox. During chaotic times of lockdowns and uncertainty, these operations can be disrupted and slowed down. The use of a court case management software can improve this process simply by digitalizing it.
How digital case management improves the work of courts?
Let’s take for example a court case where a defendant gest a conviction. What happens after the verdict is issued? With case management software the information can be sent to the prison office in real time and the process can move forward in its pre-defined step, no matter what kind of social restriction rules are enforced.
Court document management
Digitalizing court documentation holds benefits for everyone involved in the court proceedings. Judges, prosecutors, attorneys can work with more convenience when they can access court files anytime from the cloud. Digitalizing the court documentation has the potential to eliminate the time staff members usually spend on searching though paper records. Last but not least, storing court files digitally is a better way to ensure files won’t be damaged and will be updated with latest developments.
Virtual hearings & remote court testimonies
The global pandemic made remote work the new normal for a lot of businesses, but also for justice. In the current post-pandemic times court proceedings can continue almost as normal if a good infrastructure for remote court hearings is implemented. Information from virtual court hearings and testimonies can be easily recorded and reflected on case files in real time. Enabling people in custody to testify remotely from jail can expedite the judicial process and save transportation expenses.
Court scheduling
Imagine the big efforts that are being made for court scheduling where judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys and other court staff’s calendars must be aligned. With digital platform this can be done fast and any type of changes in the schedules can be made so that they can fit with everyone else’s personal schedules. In times of chaos and surprises, a good court scheduling solution can quickly fix the possible damages that unexpected events can inflict on the justice system.
Data insights
How do we improve the processes in the judicial operations? By analyzing the data we have and identify where there’s room for improvements. But is it easy to analyze thousands of paper records spread around different stores and facilities in the judicial system? No.
But it’s far more easy to do it when big part of the court records are digitalized, because there would be a clear visibility on caseload, number of pending cases and clearance rate. When you have visibility, you have the tool to improve processes. And this is more possible than ever if a court management software enables you to get advantage of data analytics and insights.
These are some of the basic directions in which the functional requirements for court management software must be formulated. To learn more, check our Court Management Solutions page.
