Case Initiation
This module allows the end user to create new cases. The case number is automatically assigned, and the type of case is selected. Basic information such as the plaintiff, defendants, attorneys, and filing date is entered. You can also record information that is the basis for the case such as location, victims, witnesses, police officer and more.
Scheduling
This allows Judges, Magistrates, Referees, Counselors, etc. to view their daily caseload on-line in a "Month-at-a-Glance", "Week-at-a-Glance" or "Day-at-a-Glance" mode, showing what cases are scheduled, expected starting time, length, as well as a status code to indicate if any were canceled. This module also handles two types of scheduling:
The first type is known as "First Available" which allows the end user to automatically search a Judge’s calendar to locate the first available time for a particular type of hearing. The system checks many levels including the Master Calendar, as well as the "Judge’s Scheduling Rules" to determine this next date and time.
The second type of scheduling is the "Specific Date" method. This option allows the end user to schedule a case on any date the Judge requests. The system will also check "Scheduling Guidelines" for the type of case and hearing to be set to see if there are any special criteria.
Case Notes
Case Notes is similar to the Electronic Docket. However, this subsystem tracks general notes and information about a case that are not for public record. It tracks the date, User ID of the person who entered the note, and has a large free-form area for notes.
Disposition Tracking
This module handles the tracking of all charges for a case, the plea given by the defendant, and the finding of the Jurist. It also handles the dispositions ordered by the Jurist with a status code to monitor if the defendant has completed all dispositions.
Court Officer Assignment
The life cycle of a case often requires many Court resources to be involved. This module provides the ability to track all resources that have ever been assigned, as well as the date they started and stopped. Court resources that can be tracked include: Judges, Attorneys, Magistrates, Referees, Mediators, Family Counselors, Parenting Specialist, and any other Court personnel that are key to the successful processing of a case. The system stores basic information about each individual, including their name, work address, phone, fax, e-mail, etc.
Supreme Court Statistics
Statistics are captured automatically based on the initiation of cases and the status of the cases as entered in the Electronic Docket. This allows the Supreme Court Statistics Report to be generated along with a detail list of the cases that make up the Supreme Court Statistics summary reports.
Judge Assignment
If there are multiple Judges eligible for case assignment, then the system can do the assignment based on two different methods. The first is a purely random assignment based on the number of available Judges. The second option is a leveling method that assigns cases evenly among all available Judges. This same concept can also be used to assign other court personnel to a case, such as Magistrates, Counselors, and Referees. There is also the ability to directly assign a Judge to a case.
Case Docket
This module provides the ability to view the Docket of a case, or what is commonly considered public record. Information is entered into this historical repository whenever activity occurs such as a hearing, trial, motion, pleading, etc...
Notice Tracking
Here, CMS tracks the different notices that are sent such as schedule changes, summons, subpoenas, billing notices, etc. The date the notice was sent, the defendants name and address as well as the delivery method (Regular Mail, Certified mail, Process Server, etc.) are captured for a historical reference. The system also tracks if the notice was delivered successfully.
Warrant / Capias
This module allows the Court to track all outstanding Warrants or Capias that have been issued by the Court. It tracks the date the Warrant was issued, the Judge who issued the Warrant, and Bond or Arrearage information, as well as the Warrant number issued by the local police agency. The issuance of a Warrant will cause a person name to appear in “RED” while in the system so that users may quickly realize that a Warrant is outstanding.
Motion Tracking
All motions filed with the Court are assigned a Motion Tracking Number and the date they were filed. The motions are then routed to the appropriate Jurist for resolution. If a hearing has been set, then the motions are tied to the hearing so the Jurist knows what motions are to be discussed at that hearing. Each motion has a disposition code to record how the Jurist ruled on that motion. Periodic reports are available to show the quantity and types of motions processed as well as those that are outstanding.
Case Accounting
This module tracks all costs that are incurred during a case. The cost are summarized into groups (a) Court Costs (b) Fines, or (c) Damages. During Disposition, the Jurist will assess which of these costs the defendant must pay. The system tracks all payments / receipts and the related disbursements to the General Ledger accounts. Checks are issued to victims as well as other agencies for the transfer of funds to other agencies. Reports are available for management.
Attorney Management
This subsystem tracks information about attorneys who practice in the Court such as their name, address, firm, phone, fax, e-mail, etc. This system also tracks Guardian Ad Litum (“GALS”) processing and which attorney’s participate in this program. Similarly tracked is “Assign Counsel”.
Cross Reference
There are many ways to Cross Reference and Index cases. CMS provides multiple ways to search for information. Some of the search factors include: litigant’s last name, partial names, social security number, birth date, case number, filing date, and hearing date. Users can create unlimited search combinations by using “wild card” search options.