Court Technology Conference Explores How Courts Can Get Funding for Technology Projects in Tough Times

Williamsburg, Va. (September 8, 2009) — In difficult economic times, courts are learning that new technologies can be key to saving money. But how can courts invest in technology projects when funds are being pulled back? Hundreds of judges, court administrators, and technologists from around the world will explore solutions to this issue and many others at the National Center for State Courts’ upcoming Court Technology Conference — CTC 2009 — Sept. 22-24 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

CTC is held every two years and is the largest conference in the world dedicated to court technology. More than 1,500 court professional are expected to attend the conference’s 50 education sessions and exhibit show. In addition to how to use technology to make courts more efficient, CTC 2009 also will focus on new advances in court operations, and examine the impact that new technologies have on public trust and confidence in the courts. The media is invited to attend. To learn more about the education sessions and the conference, please go to www.ncsc-ctc.org or the CTC blog at www.pluginpowerup.org.

In one session, “How to Get eCourt Funding in Tough Times,” members of the Oregon Judicial Department will outline how they secured funding for the largest business technology initiative in the history of the Oregon Judiciary — an $118 million eCourt program — which was launched during a time of budget constraints and fierce competition for funding. The Oregon project streamlines court operations through the use of electronic document management, management-reporting capabilities, and data sharing with partners.

Other featured CTC 2009 sessions include:

• “Implementing an Outcomes-Based CMS for Dependent Children”, presented by the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts
• “Judging in 2020: In a Courthouse or in Cyberspace?”, presented by Canadian Centre for Court Technology
• “Alabama Adopts e-Everything Attitude”, presented by representatives from Alabama’s Administrative Office of the Courts

CTC 2009 opens Sept. 22 with keynote speaker Ari Shapiro, NPR’s national justice correspondent. In his presentation, “The Verdict on New Technologies,” Shapiro will discuss how Facebook, Twitter, iPhones, and other new technologies have changed the nature of legal reporting. He will also discuss how courts can use technology to their advantage — and why they should.

The National Center for State Courts, headquartered in Williamsburg, Va., is a nonprofit court reform organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts. The National Center, founded in 1971 by the Conference of Chief Justices and Chief Justice of the United States Warren E. Burger, provides education, training, and technology, management, and research services to the nation’s state courts.