State Of The Judiciary Focuses On Financial And Administrative Successes

The State of the Judiciary started early Wednesday, reinforcing Chief Justice Brent Dickson’s claim that the judiciary is one of the most efficient organizations in the state.

Dickson’s annual review of the judiciary branch focused on the financial and administrative successes of the branch, as well as previewing his hope for 2014.

He said the entire judiciary operates on only 9/10 of 1 percent of the total government spending in Indiana.

“The bottom line is that our judicial system provided enormous value to Hoosier citizens – and does so at a miniscule cost to taxpayers. What a bargain,” Dickson said.

But the value of the judiciary is more than just dollars, Dickson said.

In 2013, the judiciary expanded several programs to help abused children, victims of home foreclosure, and seniors and incapacitated adults.

Dickson said last year’s top priority was assuring that all trial courts were equipped with effective electronic case management and data sharing technology. He thanked the legislature for its part in the creation of the Judicial Technology Oversight Committee, chaired by Justice Mark Massa.

According to Dickson, the Odyssey Case Management System has been implemented in 175 courts across the state, and now handles approximately 50 percent of all new cases.

But Dickson said that efficient data sharing is necessary for courts to fully benefit from the Odyssey system. He said they have now successfully implemented a system that allows courts to send and receive data between Odyssey and Quest, a juvenile case management system used by several larger counties.

Dickson also mentioned the plight of “economically-challenged” Hoosiers who are unable to afford a lawyer. He said more than 60 percent of parties in civil cases were not represented by an attorney in 2013.

“When people are in court without a lawyer, bad things happen,” he said.

The Indiana State Bar Association has recommended the mandatory annual reporting of pro-bono – volunteer – work to help alleviate the issue. Dickson said the judiciary is working to have a program in place within the next few months.

Dickson said his goals for 2014 include fixing the Marion County Township Small Claims Courts. The courts have previously been the subject of numerous local newspaper and television investigations, as well as a scathing article by The Wall Street Journal.

“Systematic change is imperative,” he said, “and this requires legislative action.”

He also said the judiciary is committed to executing the General Assembly’s “masterful achievement” of revising the Indiana Criminal Code last year.

“The courts stand with you to help implement and fulfill your admirable objectives in this bill,” Dickson said.

John Sittler is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.