Merced courthouse’s new computer system to boost efficiency, public access

The Merced County Superior Courthouse on Monday went live with a new $2.3 million computer system aimed at improving case-processing efficiency and cutting costs.

Linda Romero-Soles, the court’s chief executive officer, said the courthouse implemented the new case-management system to provide better access to records for the public.

“The current system increasingly had limitations in this regard,” Romero-Soles said in a news release.

Romero-Soles said the new system, dubbed the “Odyssey Case Management System,” from Tyler Technologies, will increase access to the court online, including checking court dates, paying traffic tickets and, eventually, filing court documents. The new system will also allow all court divisions to accept credit card payments.

Additionally, judges will be able to view all case files electronically via touchpads. Presiding Judge Brian McCabe said the new system will allow judges to review filings sooner and obtain court statistical information.

“The goal is to ensure that, heading into 2015, the Merced Superior Court will keep pace with the available technological advances,” McCabe said in the statement.

The Merced courthouse inked the $2.3 million deal with Tyler Technologies in July 2013 and, Romero-Soles said, the project is ahead of schedule. Court officials anticipate saving about $40,000 in paper and filing costs over the first year.

Romero-Soles said the Merced County Superior Court is the third California court to go live on the Odyssey Case Management System, following San Luis Obispo and Kings counties.

This story was originally published November 3, 2014 at 4:42 PM with the headline "Merced courthouse’s new computer system to boost efficiency, public access."