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

Introduction

For judges and court staff, using information technology (IT) is no longer discretionary; rather, it is simply the way they do their work. The judiciary has a successful information technology program upon which judges, court staff, probation/pretrial services officers, and others depend to conduct their mission-critical functions. This includes a vital communications infrastructure that connects all court units securely and is now the lifeline for information transfer. The program encompasses stewardship applications that ensure the judiciary manages its resources effectively, and various court support projects and case management systems to provide judges and staff the tools they need to perform their day-to-day work. No organization can control completely the environment in which it operates nor predict absolutely the future that it faces. As such, the judiciary’s information technology program continues to evolve in response to changing technology opportunities, increased internal and external expectations or requirements, and the need to make cost-effective investments.

The fiscal year 2009 update to the Long Range Plan for Information Technology in the Federal Judiciary articulates five-year directions and objectives for the judiciary’s information technology program. The plan presents the program in terms of five fundamental areas: external participants, court operations, judges and chambers, probation and pretrial services, and information technology infrastructure. This represents a more aggressive effort to identify needs by various constituents. Future updates to the plan will build on this approach and incorporate additional elements.

Pursuant to section 612 of Title 28, United States Code, the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts is responsible for preparing and annually revising the Long Range Plan for Information Technology in the Federal Judiciary. The Judicial Conference Committee on Information Technology provides guidance in the development of annual updates and recommends the plan for approval by the Judicial Conference. Upon approval, the Director transmits the annual update of this plan to Congress.