Scaling Justice

When you improve the docketing process, it helps all stakeholders. In this episode, Jill Lennon and Tami Ortiz from the Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller of Collier County share how they’ve revolutionized court management in Florida. They use ShowCase, equivant’s premier case management system (CMS) specifically configured for Florida laws and procedures. Hear their background in court management, how they use ShowCase along with their own office’s automation, how much quicker their process is now, how to use a CMS to match your vision, and their advice for courts looking to improve efficiency.

The importance of implementing a new case management system (CMS) can’t be stressed enough. It’s the backbone of a highly functional, well-run court that effectively serves its community. But without successful implementation, you might not get the most out of your CMS.

In this episode, equivant Director of JWorks Technical Operations Jason Emineth shares how to roll out your new CMS successfully. Hear the important things courts can do to prepare for a new CMS, how to address the amount of time and resources needed, what makes some projects go smoothly and others fail, and the key questions to ask when selecting a vendor.

Get your head into the cloud with equivant’s Patricia Jacoby and explore the benefits of hosted case management systems (CMS).

“It's all about accessibility, and cloud-based systems are basically accessible from anywhere.” Patricia Jacoby has more than 29 years of experience in software development, with a focus on court management products. She regularly speaks with judges, court administrators, and IT staff to ensure case management software addresses their needs. In this podcast, she shares how cloud-based solutions might be the next big thing in helping organizations improve efficiency and drive cost savings.

Host Bio:

Brendan Hughes | Director of Marketing at equivant

A strategic marketing leader with over 20 years of experience leading highly productive, engaged, and creative teams to exceed brand, lead generation, communications, and revenue goals. Mr. Hughes directs equivant’s thought-leadership initiatives across the justice industry, bringing the expertise of our innovative solutions to help build more efficient, effective, and equitable justice agencies nationwide.

Guest Bio:

Patricia Jacoby | Director of Development for Court Products

Ms. Jacoby has more than 29 years of professional experience in software development. She has managed the business analyst staff, the development staff, and the quality assurance staff for the entire equivant product line.

Get out of the file drawer and into automated case management systems (CMS) with equivant’s Sherry-Lynn Agcanas-Wolf.

The pressures of going virtual can be overwhelming for courts plagued by staffing shortages, limited budgets and resources, and increased demand for services. But the ability to automate CMS processes is safe, secure, and a technology that has been around for years. On Scaling Justice, we speak with Sherry-Lynn Agcanas-Wolf, who has spent over 20 years helping courts run more efficiently. In this podcast, she explores how courts benefit from innovative solutions to simplify their case management and workflow systems.

From a single test case to a thriving mental health program that’s saved $2M in incarceration costs over two years: Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer and the team in Lewis County, Wash., are working to keep people with serious mental illnesses out of jail and in contact with the community resources they need. Hear about the inter-agency collaboration that made it all happen on this episode of Scaling Justice.

Podcast recorded on Feb. 4, 2020.

“Your job is to make your data discoverable, not to hoard it.” Paul Wormeli has briefed everyone from the former director of national intelligence who wrote those words to J. Edgar Hoover to local agencies, and his message is clear: Integration and collaboration are key to solving justice problems. For over 50 years, Paul has advocated for data sharing in justice, and he joins Scaling Justice to discuss how data drives more equitable outcomes.

Amy Bach, founder of the non-profit Measures for Justice, lives by the motto: “You can’t change what you can’t see.” Illuminating the truth through data has been her life’s passion, and Amy works with agencies across the country to make meaningful change to promote justice. Hear stories about data research at MSJ, and get advice for how your agency can start moving toward greater transparency and positive change.

The line between health issues and legal issues is frequently blurred, particularly with mental illness and substance use disorders. How can we un-blur that line? How do we get people the help they need while maintaining public safety? Ayesha Delany-Brumsey of the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center and Stepping Up Initiative joins Scaling Justice to examine health issues in the justice system and what’s making a difference.

Youth crime is down, but the severity of offenses is up. Abuse and neglect are on the rise. Kids today are dealing with a lot, and sometimes, courts have the opportunity to intervene at just the right moment to make a difference. Host Sue Humphreys welcomes the Honorable Judge Anthony Capizzi to talk about juvenile justice, the role of the court, and how alternative interventions are sparking positive change.

A2J has become one of the many buzzwords in the justice sector, but what does true access to justice look like? What can courts do to tip the scales toward accessibility? Join host Sue Humphreys as she digs into court accessibility with special guest Renee Danser, Associate Director of Research and Strategic Partnerships at the Access to Justice Lab at Harvard Law School.