Iowa moves closer to paperless court system as electronic document system set to be implemented in Plymouth County beginning Jan. 4

Dec 31, 2009 — Associated Press

LE MARS, Iowa, December 31, 2009 (Associated Press) — Iowa is moving closer to a paperless court system.

The Electronic Document Management System is slated to be operational in Plymouth County beginning Jan. 4.

A review of the rules was presented earlier this month to attorneys, judges, clerks of court and support staff, who packed a courtroom at the Plymouth County Courthouse in Le Mars.

"We had a good turnout and we had lots of questions," said Charlene Peterson, the county's County clerk of courts. "Everything seemed to go well."

Plymouth County will be the first county in the state to implement the system.

It's scheduled to be a 90-day pilot period for Iowa to learn the system. It will begin with civil cases and then move to criminal cases.

The process began almost two years ago with committees drawing up the rules and guidelines to make a smooth transition to a paperless system.

In the system, all documents will be scanned into the computer system, making it easier for judicial officers to access case files without physically being in the courthouse. It also will cut down on the amount of papers that need to be stored.

The general public will have computer access in the courthouse to all filed court documents except those that have been identified as confidential.

Other things such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and children's names and birthdates will still remain private.

The only effect this will have on the Iowa Courts Online Web site will be the inclusion of more documentation.

After Plymouth County's system is up and running, it will be reviewed. Story County is scheduled to be next in line.

"I'm very excited about this and anxious to start," Peterson said. "It's not only good for the court system, but for the community to have this innovative system start in Plymouth County."

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