CourtPlus Initiative
WV Circuit Clerk E-filing and Case Management Modernization Project
About the Project
West Virginia’s CourtPlus Initiative is a project sponsored by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia that will bring electronic filing and unified case management to all of the circuit and family courts in the State. Increased use of technology in courthouses and courtrooms will make the judicial system more efficient and make the work of the courts more transparent. The CourtPlus Initiative is the latest step in the Court’s ongoing effort to utilize technology to improve the court system. Previously, the Court has successfully implemented a unified judicial application for the magistrate courts. The statewide e-filing and case management system for circuit clerks will provide a streamlined process for filing documents, conserve environmental resources and time, and generate long-term savings.
Project Background
The project began in August 2013 in Marion County with a limited pilot of electronic filing in civil cases. Over the next two years, the pilot project expanded to include other case types and other counties, including Monroe County, Jefferson County, and Hampshire County.
A major barrier to e-filing in West Virginia has been the complications that arise from the operation of different case management systems in each county. Over the years, each county has operated its own individual case docketing and financial management system, often at significant cost to the county. After an evaluation of the pilot project, the Court concluded in early 2016 that statewide e-filing would best be supported by continuing to develop a customized and uniform case management system provided by the Court.
The e-filing and case management system will be developed by On-Line Information Services, which currently provides a statewide system for the courts in Alabama. At the present time, the project focus is on refining the system in the four pilot counties. Once the critical functions of the system are operating correctly in those pilot counties, the system will then be implemented in additional counties. The implementation process involves evaluating each county infrastructure, converting existing data, training court staff, judicial staff, and attorneys, and conducting quality testing and follow-up. It is expected that full statewide implementation will be complete by 2022.