Courts & Justice: Celebrating the 2024 TEA Winner’s Circle
June 05, 2024 by Ashlin McMaken
Every year at Connect, we look forward to honoring our clients’ leadership and innovation through the Tyler Excellence Awards (TEA). It’s one of our favorite times of the year to celebrate those organizations and communities that are focused on serving their constituents to make a communal impact.
This year, eight courts and justice agencies across the country were recognized for their excellence in developing, deploying, and maintaining innovation. In the coming weeks, we’ll explore more of these stories, but in the meantime, join us in celebrating the 2024 TEA winner’s circle for Courts & Justice:
DeKalb County, Georgia
Overcoming Infrastructure Challenges and Optimizing Court Operations Through a SaaS Model
The DeKalb County Department of Innovation and Technology embraced operational excellence by successfully moving to a software as a service (SaaS) model after 10 years of an on-premises infrastructure. As the county expanded its use of the case management platform through various solutions, it led to increased infrastructure, IT, and security demands. Adopting a SaaS model not only enhanced operational efficiency, but also freed up valuable resources so county staff could redirect focus on resolving other business process challenges. DeKalb County is now positioned to focus on customer service and efficiency, while safeguarding the county’s data and infrastructure against security threats.
Superior Court California, County of Los Angeles
Achieving Milestone Transition With Innovative Implementation
Previously burdened by an outdated and inefficient criminal case management system, the court faced challenges with manual processes, data gathering, and maintenance costs. To achieve a more modern and dynamic justice experience, the court streamlined their criminal case management into a single system that merged case details, finances, and documents. This shift automated processes, minimized the need for manual tasks, provided improved data for decision-making, and achieved cost savings while enhancing public accessibility and collaboration with justice partners. Through extensive project management and training of over 1,000 staff members, the Superior Court of Los Angeles has successfully converted 3.7 million cases to electronic form, making it the largest transition of a single litigation case management system in the world.
Tarranty County Clerk, Texas
Leveraging AI to Streamline Court Filings and Improve Efficiency
As electronic court filings surged at Tarrant County Clerk, resources and staff were strained, jeopardizing their ability to ensure timely justice while meeting statutory guidelines. To streamline their e-filing process, the court embraced artificial intelligence-enabled document understanding and workflow automation technology. This move resulted in a substantial reduction in clerk workload, faster document processing, and improved accuracy, ultimately enhancing service delivery for attorneys and the community.
State of North Carolina
Modernizing Court Operations Through the Cloud
The North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts, facing challenges with their outdated case management system (CMS) applications and diminished support for their mainframe infrastructure, sought a modern and comprehensive solution. The state’s strategic approach not only allowed them to substitute the antiquated CMS applications but also introduced a robust cloud-based SaaS environment to drive process efficiency and cost savings. In less than a year, more than 94% of citations across the state were filed electronically, marking a significant shift toward digital solutions and emphasizing sustainability efforts. Since the launch, the switch is also projected to save more than 4 million pieces of paper for county cases filed.
Caldwell County Sheriff's Office, Texas
Creating Seamless Collaboration Between the Courts and Jail
The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office faced the challenge of operating a jail system disconnected from the court, where data was duplicated and workflows involved manual transfers using paper, faxes, and emails. To facilitate seamless interaction between the courts and the jail, they implemented comprehensive and connected case management software. As a result, the organization reduced wait times on dispositions, experienced fewer calls, and eliminated the need for fax and hand-delivered documents. Additionally, their officers are now more effectively able to record information regarding inmates on suicide precautions, ensuring necessary precautions are taken to protect the well-being of inmates and facility staff. This comprehensive approach not only streamlined workflows and improved access to real-time information, but also contributed to creating a safer environment within the correctional facility.
State of Kansas
Empowering Court Officers Through Consistent, Streamlined Statewide Supervision Case Management
In Kansas, Courts Services Officers (CSOs) needed a way to supervise case types beyond traditional probation supervision — such as Child in Need of Care (CINC) and domestic cases — involving multiple individuals attached to a case and with more complex case management paths. In response, Kansas CSOs teamed up with the state’s Office of Judicial Administration to develop consistent statewide practices and processes for domestic and CINC case type using adaptive case management tools to create the data and workflows needed to support these initiatives. The state was able to develop consistent practices and processes, streamline operations, and improve efficiency for CSOs and those under supervision. This creative case management solution not only minimized errors and duplicated entries, but also ensured accurate data and complete case records.
Midland County, TX
Enhancing Pretrial Services, Data, and Outcomes
The Midland County Pretrial Services Department overcame significant challenges with its outdated case management system through a thoughtful implementation of supervision software solutions. By leveraging a cloud-based SaaS model, the team not only modernized documentation and management processes but also bolstered bond compliance, automated fee collections, and enabled efficient monitoring of high-risk cases. Through their data-driven approach, the department is ultimately creating better pretrial outcomes by reducing recidivism and promoting an overall improvement in public safety. The department now manages cases more effectively, tracks staff performance more easily, and maintains defendant pretrial outcomes more precisely. Their customized approach positioned them to extend functionalities across other supervision system components and manage thousands of active cases with enhanced monitoring solutions.
Manhattan Municipal Court, KS
Serving the Public as a Connected, More Efficient Government
Manhattan Municipal Court aspires to serve the public more effectively and efficiently by becoming a more connected government. Recognizing the drawbacks of an outdated system – hindered efficiency and lacking customizable reporting – they sought a modern infrastructure through a SaaS-based cloud model. With integrated functionality like automated docket check-ins, document scanning, and electronic court notices, they are moving toward a paperless environment, offering a more user-friendly approach for the public. Their digital, self-service solutions have simplified the check-in process, reduced calls into the court, and increased online payments to nearly 44%. From streamlined processes to improved communication, Manhattan Municipal Court has transformed how they serve the public, exemplifying a modern, connected government.
Congratulations to this year’s TEA recipients. Stay tuned for videos, case studies, and more!