court space reForm
42
Court Service Kiosks in the Courthouse and Community Several jurisdictions and justice partners are deploying kiosks into the community, increasing public access to court services. Computer kiosks that allow the public to conduct court business can be located inside the courthouse and disseminated into the community through court partners such as public libraries and other sponsors. Community-based kiosks allow the public to attend court virtually and access court services from a convenient satellite location. Some people will still want to come to the courthouse for access to technology and assistance. Kiosks located in the courthouse could offer a variety of court service functions without the need for in-person help. Although, video conferencing with a live clerk should be an option.
Minnesota | The Legal Kiosk Project To address the digital divide of accessing remote services, the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition requested CARES Act funds to give communities access to civil justice by creating a statewide network of over 250 legal kiosks to be stationed in a variety of court, agency, nonprofit, and other community locations. These community-based legal kiosks help Minnesotans who face technology access and transportation barriers have a healthy and safe experience interacting with civil legal aid experts and the administrative and court systems in which their cases will be proceeding.
New Mexico | Clara Virtual Clerk In 2021, New Mexico's court system received the top ranking in the nation for providing language access services. "Clara“ is a multilingual, interactive avatar in a touchless courthouse kiosk that can answer usergenerated questions to help visitors with directions to courtrooms and forms and allow them to get the assistance of a live operator who can connect them to court staff. Clara appears on the Judiciary’s language access services webpage, offering assistance in multiple languages.
Ohio | Statewide Kiosks The Cleveland Housing Court installed kiosks in community/recreation centers and public libraries for the public to transact business without taking a trip to the courthouse. Athens County Court of Common Pleas uses kiosks for courtroom check-in by parties with plans to assist people on probation in visiting probation officers and taking required breath tests for alcohol. Jackson County Municipal Court implemented advanced email and text notification to parties before their scheduled court appearance date and courtroom check-in notices upon arrival at the courthouse. Rocky River Municipal Court uses video conferencing for arraignment and pretrial mental health assessment of the in-custody defendant in jail to save transportation costs.
