Politics & Government

County Prepares To Launch Electronic Filing Project

The 15-month project will cost $750,000.

MEDIA–At Tuesday’s Delaware County Council meeting, the council approved a $750,000 project to introduce electronic filing to the civil section of the Court of Common Pleas.

Vice Chairwoman Christine Fizzano Cannon said the contract would go to Virginia-based company AmCad to help ease the transition from paper to electronic filing.

“Once installed, the system will enable the Office of Judicial Support and the Court Administrator’s Office to transition from a paper file to an electronic document management system,” Cannon said.

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Cannon did add that the new e-system, which will take 15 months to complete and is expected to start soon, would improve data accessing capabilities.

“This modernization of the system will enhance Internet electronic information and services for those involved in civil-related matters such as contract disputes, personal injury cases, divorce and landlord/tenant matters, to name only a few,” she said.

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Office of Judicial Support Director Angela Martinez told the council that currently the record keeping is still done by stacks of files and huge ledgers that can weight anywhere between 20 to 40 pounds.

She said that one of the new features of the diverse e-system is that 300 large ledgers will be transformed digitally and can fit in a single CD.

The county can save $150,000 a year alone on postage because of the new e-system, Martinez told the council.

She also said that taxpayer money would not be used to pay for this project.

“As you know, this contract will be entirely paid for by an account that was established for the purpose of automation. So no tax dollars need to be used for this. The Office of Judicial Support has been saving this money up based on users fees for many, many years,” she told the council.

The e-system is also expected to reduce staff time for pulling records and will stop the need to make duplicates of data and paperwork, said Court Administrator Gerald Montella.

People will only need Internet access to use the new system and a tutorial will be available for assistance. Those without Internet access can still go to the courthouse and Government Center to complete electronic filings, according to a press release.


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