Long Range Plan for Information Technology in the Federal Judiciary FY 2009

Judges and Chambers

Objectives
Judges and Chambers Success Stories

There are approximately 8,000 active and senior judges and chambers staff in the judiciary, which is about 26 percent of the judiciary workforce. These individuals rely on technology to varying degrees and in different ways. Other staff—courtroom deputies, staff attorneys, and librarians—work closely with chambers and, while not technically classified as chambers staff, frequently use the same technology in their support of judges. Chambers generally are equipped with computer equipment and a suite of software through which judges and chambers staff can also access electronic case management systems, electronic mail, computer-assisted legal research databases, and internet and web-based applications. Many courtrooms are equipped with technologies that improve the quality and efficiency of many aspects of courtroom proceedings through reduced trial time and improved fact-finding and understanding for trial participants. A number of opportunities exist to provide tools to help judges with their work in areas ranging from text-searchability across pleadings, opinions, and court records; knowledge management (giving judges the ability to reuse information to the extent possible, eliminating the need to “reinvent” it); and the more timely receipt of critical information through seamless transmission of data from one court type to another.

Objectives

• Implement information technology solutions to streamline work tasks, increase productive time, and improve the efficiency of judges and chambers staff in managing caseloads and doing their work both in chambers and remotely.
• Integrate the systems and information needed by judges and their staffs, including chambers case-management capabilities, records, and data; sentencing guideline information; legal research and reference materials; and e-mail, word processing, and other applications.
• Incorporate information technology awareness and training for judges and chambers staff into every possible venue to encourage the full use of information technology capabilities.
• Continue equipping courtrooms with appropriate and up-to-date technologies to assist in the adjudicative process, both in new construction and in existing courtrooms.
• Explore audio recording with speech-recognition technologies to enhance the capability of judges and attorneys to review or search for presentations, testimony, and transcriptions.
• Improve the accessibility and reliability of videoconference equipment and other technologies used in conducting oral matters with judges.

Judges and Chambers Success Stories

Courtroom Technologies
Technology is truly revolutionizing trial processes. The use of technology in the courtroom facilitates case management, reduces trial time and litigation costs, and improves fact-finding, jury understanding, and access to court proceedings. Judges indicate that video evidence presentation technologies improve their ability to understand witnesses and testimony and manage proceedings. Courts are using videoconferencing in a variety of proceedings (as well as for other administrative and training purposes). Technology also has been used in high-profile trials to ensure public safety and enhance the proceedings. The judiciary is continuing to equip courtrooms with a base technology infrastructure and portable equipment that can be shared among courtrooms to ensure technology is available at the lowest cost.

Online System for Clerkship Application and Review
The Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR) is an Internet-based law clerk recruitment and application program. Judges can post notices of available clerkships on OSCAR and specify whether they wish to receive applications electronically or on paper. OSCAR streamlines the law clerk application process, enabling judges and chambers staff to receive, sort, and screen applications electronically, to print selected application materials, and to communicate with applicants via email. In addition to submitting their applications electronically, clerkship applicants can also submit electronic requests for recommendation letters to their recommenders, who are then invited to access OSCAR directly and create and upload their letters of recommendation. In 2007, OSCAR completed its third successful year with 800 judges, representing every circuit, using the system, processing a total of over 180,000 applications.

IT Training for Judges
Since 1992, more than 2,600 judges have been trained in various judges’ office automation classes. The curriculum was realigned in fiscal year 2006 to focus more specifically on judges’ tasks and functions and correlate the application of information technology to them. Examples of such functions include case management, writing opinions, and trial practices. Judges and court staff are more directly involved in the development of curricula, as faculty in the delivery of programs, and as mentors to assist in local training activities.

There are two distinct components to judges’ training: awareness and training. IT awareness activities show judges what applications are available and stimulate interest in pursuing training. National training, workshops, and conferences allow judges to raise the level of IT awareness among their peers and share ideas on how to accomplish judicial tasks using technology. IT training activities provide judges with the skills to master a particular application, procedure, or task.