SOUTHFIELD – ImageSoft, a provider of paperless court solutions, Thursday announced that for the first time the Macomb County Circuit Court processes more pleading filings through its e-filing system than the paperwork received through the U.S. Postal Service.

Macomb County launched an e-filing pilot initiative in 2011 with the goal of transitioning case documents from a paper-based system to a digital one. The initiative involved not only the introduction of e-filing for attorneys and citizens, but also an overhaul of how the court stores and manages case files.

After a thorough review of existing workflow and the technology employed by the county, ImageSoft recommended a transition to JusticeTech, a comprehensive technology solution that includes TrueFiling, an electronic case management (ECF)-conforming e-filing platform and also OnBase by Hyland Software. It enables courts and public safety organizations to store and manage information electronically along with powerful workflow capability to automate court processes. The JusticeTech solution is currently used in the courts of all 13 Circuit Court judges in Macomb County.

“Our court is making progress in using electronic filing technology to make information available to litigants, attorneys and judges,” said Macomb County Circuit Court Chief Judge James Biernat Jr.

“Thanks to the leadership of our chief judges, we are improving access to justice and transparency and providing a better way for county clerks to manage the workflow,” said Carmella Sabaugh, Macomb County Clerk and Register of Deeds.

JusticeTech manages electronic filings for all civil cases and appeals, and started accepting pleadings for certain divorce cases in April. The county next plans to expand its e-filing options to include personal protection orders.

“The Macomb County court system presents an ideal template for what a local court system can achieve with a well-designed, comprehensive technology solution,” stated ImageSoft President Scott Bade. “Wait times can be reduced, costs reduced and tax-paying citizens better served through the application of appropriate technology and enlightened workflow processes. It’s the ultimate win-win for both the court systems and the public they serve.”

Download a case study about Macomb County’s transition to leverage JusticeTech for e-filing here.