Resolution I

Integrated Justice Information Systems

WHEREAS, information systems have become a critical mechanism for promoting public welfare and delivering effective public services; and

WHEREAS, federal data requirements and funding has become a major influence on the development of state and local government information Systems; and

WHEREAS, federal programs have been organized around distinct policy areas such as adoptions, child support, criminal justice, juvenile justice and violence against women; and

WHEREAS, these state-wide information systems require information from the courts to be successful and need complete, timely and accurate information to enhance the effectiveness of the judicial system; and

WHEREAS, state and local courts generally have been excluded from the planning, development, implementation and funding of these federally sponsored systems; and

WHEREAS, the effectiveness of all of these systems has been undermined due to a lack of recognition of the interdependency of these systems and the need for courts to play an active role in their design and operation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Conference of State Court Administrators is committed to a national effort, staffed by the National Center for State Courts, to advocate in Congress and the federal executive provisions in their information system programs that recognize the state courts must participate directly in the planning, development and funding for integrated case management systems;

And, the critical elements of such provisions will

1.   provide that courts are direct recipients of funds to ensure they are partners and not subservient to the state executive;

2.      emphasize development of standards for exchange of data and connectivity among information systems maintained by the judiciary and between the judiciary and administrative agencies; and

3.   include the judiciary in the planning process for executive based information systems such as those for criminal histories, adoptions, child support, and civil protection orders;

            and, COSCA urges CCJ, NACM and other court association to join in a common national effort; and, COSCA urges its members to commit staff resources to compiling and communicating the information necessary to this effort.

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