2021 October Tech Talk for Courts

It’s officially spooky season! Halloween is just around the corner, and people are getting in the spirit everywhere you look. During the month of October, we celebrate all things creepy, scary, frightening, and macabre. From horror movies to walking through haunted houses, everyone seems to be in the mood for a good fright. Once a year, people allow themselves to embrace the anxiety rather than shy away from it.

It’s not just horror movies and ghosts that we’re afraid of. Things in our personal and professional lives can fill us with nerves. The overarching theme across all industries and situations tends to be a fear of change. Humans do not enjoy change, at least not typically. Much like the main character in a horror film, we can be more than a little hesitant to open the door to the metaphorical house of the unknown. Will there be a cozy evening waiting for us, or a masked man wielding a chainsaw. Unfortunately, we can’t know until we take the step through the doorway.

That being said, we don’t have to suffer the same fate as horror movie victims. One thing characters rarely do is formulate a plan before acting. We, as humans not driven by a pre-scripted plot, have the luxury of taking a moment to consider what the best course of action may be. The courts have been taking this crucial extra step for decades. It’s clear that our justice system is in need of some upgrades, but no one dares to rush the process for fear of what’s on the other side.

The correct way to go about this is not to simply take no action. After all, there must be a reason you want to go into the metaphorical house of the unknown, so staying outside isn’t an option. Court personnel from all levels and departments can work together to evaluate the scene before making any moves. Just as in a horror film, you can do the following:

• • • Hunt for weapons: A golf club won’t help you much with implementing change in the courts, but there are plenty of tools you can arm yourself with that might save the day. For example, ensure that your storage systems are up-to-date and safeguarded from the villain. Adopt eFiling and eSigning so you can accomplish what you need to without entering the house. Educate yourself of the villain behind the door – what are their weaknesses and how can you come out on top?
    • Come up with a detailed plan: Stepping through the door and hoping for the best is not going to get you anywhere. Walk around the house and look for additional vantage points. Seeing things from a different perspective can help you see if there are hidden traps you hadn’t noticed before. Perhaps you think Problem A is the main issue within your courts, but Problem A is actually a result of a snowball effect from Problems B through F. Unless you take the time to explore the scene from different angles, you won’t see what your biggest threat is.
    • Always work as a team: There is nothing more frustrating than watching a horror film star announce that everyone should split up. When you’re alone, you have no one watching your back, making you an easy target. The same is true in the court. When trying to implement digital transformation, it’s important to have everyone on the same page. Work with other departments to find a solution that benefits everyone. If one hand doesn’t know what the other hand is doing, there will be chaos and things will not get done. Start with digital solutions that benefit as many people as possible and work your way down. Much of the digital transformation cannot happen unless everyone is involved. eFiling only helps if you can send documents electronically to other departments. E-Signatures are only helpful when all areas of a business accept them. You cannot go off and do your own thing in a horror movie or when implementing change – it never ends well.

Think about how many horror movie plots would be ripped to shreds if the characters followed these tips. By being prepared, you can find your way out of almost any sticky situation. We’ve seen many courts take the beginning steps towards a digital transformation. Plans are in place for a steady transition away from out-of-date legacy processes. As the world around us continues to change, entire industries are shifting their plan of attack. Courts are moving to virtual or hybrid models, adopting software that improves efficiency, and offering services that improve access to all. We hope to see this trend continue even as we return to “normal” life.

We know change can be scary, but ‘tis the season to embrace the fear and make changes. Set up a solid plan and you’ll escape the haunted house with little more than a scratch.

Happy Halloween!

5 Reasons Why E-Filing is a Better Choice Than Filing Cabinets

Did you know that filing cabinets, a staple in any office setting, were created in the US in the mid-1800s? Before then, paperwork was stored in drawers, on desks, and haphazardly in whatever containers were around. The filing cabinet revolutionized organization in the workplace and was quickly adopted for both business and personal use.

For nearly two centuries filing cabinets have lined walls in small shops, large warehouses, and enterprise system offices.  It’s a tried-and-true method of organization that has exceeded expectations. That being said, is it wise to stick with the same processes for almost 200 years?