Administrative Office of the Courts, a division of the Oklahoma Supreme Court

PROJECT PURPOSE

This project identifies two areas that require funding to support technology advancement for the court, judges, public defenders, and court clerks in Oklahoma?s seventy-seven counties. The pandemic shifted how the court conducted business, moving from in person court to virtual court in many cases, e-payments of fines instead of in-person, etc. This created a demand for computer technology and equipment that was easy to relocate between court rooms, offices, juvenile centers, and other facilities. The second requirement was to enable the ability for courtrooms to have video conferences with remote attorneys, clients, and others for hearings/cases. The proposal requests funding for laptop computers and video conferencing equipment to support the demand and to continue the advancement of the court?s capabilities.

EVIDENCE

This project already has installed 40 video conferencing systems and computers that have provided support for remote hearings, state-wide financial policy training, T.D vs State, attorney ceremonies, etc. both in the county and at the Judicial Center. Project completion has been delayed due to a lack of funding. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 created a loss of revenue that has no short-term recovery period. The pandemic also required unforeseen purchases of equipment which depleted funds that would have been used to for this project.

POPULATION DESCRIPTION

The court protects minorities of all types from the majority, and protects the rights of people who cannot protect themselves. They also embody notions of equal treatment and fair play for everyone. The pandemic and aftermath increase the need to protect our constitutional rights to equal protection; by providing a forum to resolve disputes and to test/enforce laws in a fair and rational manner for all. The computer infrastructure of the courts helps provide the courts the ability to do justice, to guarantee liberty, to provide for equal protection to all regardless of background and to ensure due process of law.

PERFORMANCE MEASURING

Project performance will be measured by the completion of equipment installation by county. This project encompasses the installation of equipment in all counties to support the court case management, cost administration, e-filing, and e-citation systems.

ONGOING INVESTMENT AMOUNT

$

ONGOING INVESTMENT DESCRIPTION

None

ONGOING INVESTMENT REQUIRED

Able to continue operation without additional funding from the State of Oklahoma