GREENSBORO, N.C. — Two Triad court systems are making the jump from paper to digital. Local attorneys and court clerks believe it will make using the courts much easier.
We learned more about how this will change the game for everyday folks and those dealing with court documents regularly.
Right now, there are 17 counties in North Carolina using eCourts or electronic court documents. After April 29, Guilford and Alamance Counties, alongside eight other counties will be making the switch from paper documents and filings to digital ones.
The court system is transitioning from a system that was created in the 80's to a more modern platform this will impact attorneys, court clerks, and judges the most.
Guilford County's Superior Court Clerk, Lisa Johnson-Tonkins said though this change is mandatory for those working in the courts to follow, once all the kinks in this system are worked out, it will be a great tool for those involved in criminal and civil matters.
"Currently, the chief justice of the state of North Carolina has mandated that all attorneys file electronically but the public does not have to file electronically right now. I will say, I think it is a better product because all of our files will be held electronically, which will allow the public to have better access," Johnson-Tonkins said.
As for the everyday person, Greensboro Attorney, Jason Keith of NXTGEN LAW said this service is equivalent to storing data from your phone in the cloud. He went on to say this switch will allow people who need to file with the courts, the ability to do so wherever, "you log in, you're able to do everything from your tablet, your cellphone and from your home if necessary. You're able to determine and file a lawsuit, file a complaint, file a response to a criminal case, file a response to a speeding ticket."
He also mentioned the environmental impacts this will have, transitioning to digital documents will cut down on the use of paper. He said from the attorney side of things, it helps cut down on resources that may have been needed before eCourts officially rolled out.
"We don't actually have to send somebody over here. You don't have to get in your car and drive from New York to find a motion. You don't have to go to the post office and mail your paper work to the courthouse and wait for them to mail it back now, now you pull your phone out, you pull your iPad out or you pull your computer out and you hit send and go from there," Keith said.
Johnson-Tonkins said over the last two and half months, employees at the Guilford County Courthouse have received training for eCourts. Johnson-Tonkins asks the public to be patient with them as they continue to learn this new system.
Click here for a full guide on how you can take advantage of the new system.