Jennifer Nelson for www.theindianalawyer.com
Fifteen years after it was established by the Indiana Supreme Court, the justices have decided to retire the Judicial Technology and Automation Committee. The decision was in one of three orders handed down by the court Thursday.
The Supreme Court has amended Administrative Rule 4, removing any reference to JTAC. It was created to develop a uniform policy on implementation of information technology by the judicial system. The justices will now have direct oversight of all court technology objectives, initiatives and projects previously covered by JTAC. Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush appointed Justice Steven David and Indiana Court of Appeals Judge Paul Mathias to lead an integrated court technology effort on behalf of the court.
Supreme Court Chief Public Information Officer Kathryn Dolan said the move was made to eliminate certain buffers between technology projects and the court and increase the court’s efficiency when it comes to technology projects.
Dolan said public safety was a factor in the decision. Most of the projects JTAC oversaw dealt with public safety, such as the protective order registry, connectivity of judges being able to see warrants, and mental health adjudications sent to federal officials.
Rush believes that making this adjustment is the most effective and efficient way to provide Hoosiers with fair and impartial justice and provide policymakers with accurate data about the work of the court, Dolan said. The decision to end JTAC came as the court looked at how to move forward with statewide e-filing.
In addition to the order retiring JTAC, the Supreme Court released an order amending Administrative Rule 10 on the security of court records. The rule affirms that all court records are the exclusive property of the courts and subject to the authority of the Supreme Court. This affirmation also comes as a result of future e-filing.
The third order released Thursday lists the justices’ roles as chairs or liaisons to various commissions and organizations.
