Media Contact: Vicki Madaras, Court Administrator
972-466-3350
vicki.madaras@cityofcarrollton.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 4, 2004

Carrollton’s Municipal Court Goes “Paperless”

Beginning May 10 municipal court cases in Carrollton will be “paperless” from the time a police officer enters a citation using a hand-held device on the street. The $160,000 software upgrade will enable Carrollton Municipal Court employees not only to create case documents electronically but to link all files related to a court case electronically, instead of in multiple paper files.
Although the town of Victoria implemented the same Professional Computer Software Services, Inc. case management software in mid-March of this year, Carrollton is slated to become the first paperless municipal court in North Texas.

This is a big step according to Court Administrator Vicki Madaras. “We normally rely on paper for everything,” stated Madaras, “so this requires a total shift in our thinking.” For court employees the upgrade translates to advanced electronic processing of what previously was a high volume of paper documents and files.

All documents generated will be saved as images and automatically linked to corresponding case files. Authorized employees can then view any document electronically rather than physically retrieving paper documents from separate file locations as well as update a case from one screen rather than accessing multiple screens. Certain processes can even be scheduled to run after hours without direct staff involvement.

The upgrade will be transparent to most court customers. The major benefits anticipated include reductions in the time spent retrieving paper files and the number of transferred phone calls to retrieve requested files. According to Madaras, “Other city employees, including those in the city’s Resolution Call Center who handle over 1200 calls weekly from citizens regarding traffic tickets and court dates, will be able to access files without ever touching a single paper file.”

Madaras, who expects a six-month payback on the software investment, states “We anticipate a savings of $119,500 in costs, including personnel and reduced costs for archive storage, printing and photocopying and even file folder expenses!”

Carrollton’s Municipal Court is located at the Carrollton Justice Center at 2001 E. Jackson Road, east of Josey Lane next to City Hall. Call 972-466-3348 for more information.

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