News

Pennsylvania Judiciary Seeks Public Input on Web Site Redesign

October 03, 2005

HARRISBURG, October 3, 2005 — As part of its ongoing computerization efforts, Pennsylvania’s state court system plans to fully “re-develop” its Web site (www.courts.state.pa.us) over the next 18 months, Court Administrator of Pennsylvania Zygmont A. Pines announced today. As part of that redevelopment, the Judiciary hopes to obtain citizen feedback about the current Web site to make the new site as comprehensive and navigable as possible. “Pennsylvania’s court Web site was the second in the nation, hitting the World Wide Web just one week after the judicial Web site of Florida,” Pines said. “That took place 10 years ago, and a revamp by Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts’ staff of our site is called for in light of advances in Web site technology and design.” The Web site enhancements are part of the AOPC’s continuing role in administering the state court system under the direction of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, which has a longstanding policy of promoting open access to the courts for the Commonwealth’s citizens. “These changes reflect my commitment and that of my colleagues to strengthen the Unified Judicial System’s abilities to provide the general public and other government agencies with up-to-date information through new technology,” Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ralph J. Cappy said. Pines said that the current Web site allows the public an opportunity to send non-caserelated comments and questions about the Judicial Branch via e-mail. It is through that mechanism that the courts hope users of the current site will take time to describe what they would like to see on the redeveloped Web site. To send e-mail comments, write to aopcweb@pacourts.us or click on the link to the same address at the bottom of the Web site’s Frequently Asked Questions page. “Before many other courts had begun to automate, Pennsylvania was charting its ambitious course to take advantage of technology — and not the least of that advantage was using computers to make data available to governments, businesses and citizens through the Web and in other ways,” Pines said. Pines noted that Pennsylvania’s state courts also are seeking public comment during the next two months regarding proposed revisions to the Judiciary’s public access policy. Those revisions are driven by the anticipated completion of a statewide criminal court automation system next year that will dramatically enhance criminal case data availability from Pennsylvania’s courts. Also under consideration is the creation of Web user “focus” groups to provide added input to the redevelopment process. “All of this is part of the Supreme Court’s long-standing commitment to ensure that access to the justice system is defined — and addressed — in many different ways,” Pines said. “For instance, the Court always has been committed to ensuring access to those unable to afford representation and by encouraging pro bono client representation by lawyers. “But there are other forms of access to be assured, including linguistic access, which we are aggressively pursuing and informational access, including our broad automation efforts, our history of readily making available administrative and financial data about court operations, our Web posting of medical malpractice statistics (to help illuminate that thorny issue), and just next week a revision of the Web postings of Supreme Court case decisions to help citizens better understand the composition of the court as it releases its opinions. “Just as we are anxious to get feedback on the public access policy regarding trial and minor court case records, so too do we think feedback about our overall Web site can be helpful to us in the short-term and to the public longer-term,” Pines said. “I encourage interested Pennsylvanians to share their thoughts about our plans to better serve them.”