Technology innovations bring awards to King County Superior Court and District Court

County Council recognizes projects that increase citizen access

Citizens have better customer service and greater access to court records thanks to technology innovations that brought top honors to King County Superior Court and King County District Court. King County Councilmembers recognized and congratulated the winners at a briefing of the Council’s Law, Justice and Human Services Committee March 6.

“I am proud that King County is a model for bringing technology to the court system,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, who chairs the Law, Justice and Human Services Committee. “This project simplifies access to legal records, saves money, and serves the cause of justice. Computerized records are an important step in streamlining court procedures and making records available to all involved parties. This concept is exactly what technology should be used to accomplish.”

“The judges and court staff have served the public well by facilitating electronic access to court records and improving customer service,” said Councilmember Bob Ferguson, vice-chair of the committee. “New technology has revolutionized the potential for public access to court records, and it is exciting that the judges have harnessed this technology to the benefit of the public’s right to know.”

The prestigious "Innovations in American Government" award from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government recognizes the King County Superior Court Clerk's office and the King County Department of Judicial Administration for their development of King County’s Electronic Court Records system, which is used to facilitate public access to court records. As one of seven national recipients of the annual award, Superior Court and DJA will receive $100,000 to share their best practices with jurisdictions across the country.

King County District Court received the government sector award for “Best Use of Technology” from the Washington Technology Industry Association. The award recognizes improved citizen service facilitated by the development of a new call center system that has reduced average wait times for the 500,000 callers District Court staff assist each year.