The idea of a unified court management system for all of the California courts sounds like a good idea. Easily accessible up to date legal information shared amongst all the courts, and increased transparency and accountability. However, as the story unfolds, it is a terrible warning about what can happen when such a huge electronic information system is implemented by state government officials without proper planning and without the input and guidance of reliable, professional information management specialists. There are ways to implement e-governance initiatives that reduce government corruption and increase efficiency, but this, apparently is not an example of the successful implementation of such an e-governance initiative.
According to, “The Administrative Office of the Courts” this project, which is expected to be completed by 2015, “will improve the timeliness, accuracy and uniformity of the courts’ data.” However, the CA state auditor has found that lack of proper planning and research at the beginning of the project has led to inefficient and inadequate implementation of the system. <http://www.govtech.com/budget-finance/California-Court-Management-System-Takes-More-Heat-020811.html>
Sacramento Superior Court Judge Steve White, describes the system as “folly”, and “a massively expensive failure.” <http://www.sacbee.com/2011/02/05/3378973/computer-network-big-price-little.html#ixzz1DP2aAVQP>
See Also:
- California Court Case Management System Needs a Cost Cap, Review Finds
- Viewpoints: Case system opens courts’ digital door By Christopher B. Dolan
- California Lawmakers Rip Court Case Management System
- Judicial Bureaucrats Unveil Positive Analysis of Much Maligned Case Management Project By Maria Dinzeo
- Critics Cry ‘Reboot’ at Troubled Court Case Management By Cheryl Miller
- Auditor’s Report Slams Calif. Judicial Council’s New Computer System By Cheryl Miller
- State courts need to move ahead on case management By Ming W. Chin
- Two Lawmakers Demand Vickrey Be Fired By Cheryl Miller
- California Judges in Debate Over Value of Massive Case Management System: CCMS Compared to the Spruce Goose by San Diego Judge; LA Judge Calls for New CCMS Leadership By
Eric Winkler - Scathing Audit Blasts $1.9 Billion Court Computer Project in California By Maria Dinzeo
- Justice Takes On State Auditor Over Critique By Maria Dinzeo
- Verbal Warfare Breaks Out Within Judiciary By Maria Dinzeo
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