I-Jury: Internet Jury Impanelingin Travis County, Texas

It began with an idea. . .

Why can t I just do thiswith email

Juror comment, Nov. 1997

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I-JURY

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

Before I-JURY: Lines and waiting

The courtroom ishot and crowded,many jurors haveto stand

Limited parking.Jurors having to walkblocks to get to thecourthouse.

Jurors don t knowabout courthousesecurity and areunprepared for it

Substantial waiting timefor the court to hearexcuses; delays jurorassignments.

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Before I-JURY: Lines and waitingThe jury impaneling process in 1993

Held in the largest courtroom in the courthousewith jurors packed in like sardines and parkedwherever

Jurors stood in line to check in and were thenseated

Judge entered to give oath and pep talk whilequestionnaires were placed in alphabetical order

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Before I-JURY: Lines and waiting

Jurors wanting to be excused lined up to talk tothe judge while the rest of the jurors waited

After excuses, the wait continued whilequestionnaires were shuffled and counted out instacks for each panel

Juror names were called for each panel, whowere then told when and where to report forjury selection

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I-JURY: Stepping out of the box

Lines Waits Lines

Waits LinesWaits

Lines Waits

LinesWaits Lines Waits

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I-JURY: Stepping out of the box

1994

Consolidated separate District and CountyCourt jury impanelings at a facilityoutside the courthouse.

Introduced concept of coordinating a juror spersonal schedule with dates of actualjury service.

1995

Interlocal agreement to consolidate Austin sMunicipal Court into impaneling process.

Jury Office created and new JMS developed(in-house at ITS).

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I-JURY: Stepping out of the box

1999-2001Continuous improvement of

impaneling process throughhand-outs, forms, streamlinedprocedures, etc.

2000Concept of using the Internet for

impaneling under discussion

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I-JURY: Stepping out of the box

20012001

CRISIS! The impanelingCRISIS! The impanelinglocation (a rented facility)location (a rented facility)

is being converted to ais being converted to adifferent use. A differentdifferent use. A differentfacility will be requiredfacility will be required

within the next year or two.within the next year or two.

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I-JURY: Getting out of the lines

Missing work to attendimpaneling is notpopular among somejurors.

Some jurors live over30 miles from site ofimpaneling, whichposes a hardship.

Despite the expeditedprocess, with drivingtime, impanelingtakes half a day.

Why can t I justdo this withemail?

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I-JURY: Developing the processSolution:

Adapt technology already in use at the county to:

Have juror complete form and send to the JuryOffice with the necessary information.

To screen for eligibility, excuses, and availabilitySo we can make a court assignment based onThe juror s service jurisdiction(s) and schedule

And communicate that assignment to the juror

Plus track all the trials with their assigned jurors

Without spending any money.

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I-JURY: Developing the process

I-Jury v. 1 process

Total Cost: $250

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I-JURY: Implementing the process

Announcement press conference+

Summons inserts+

Library access+

Employer letters promoting I-Jury

=

70% adoption rate!

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I-JURY: Improving the process

Process improvement+

Word of mouth+

TCTV promotion+

Continued summons inserts=

85% adoption rate

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

HIEARACHY OF IMPORATNCE:

§The Juror and Courts

§ The I-Jury Process

§ The System

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Jurors required to call infor assignmentinformation in the eventthe original email is lost.

Jurors expressedinterest in being able toreview their responsesand make corrections.

Need to validate juror sidentity to ensure no onevolunteers for service or

mix-ups occur on similarnames.

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Key features:

Excuse screening Juror identity validationSchedule coordination Standard for availabilityMultiple jurisdictions Random assignmentJuror reassignment Electronic questionnairesTrial schedule Juror and trial search

Questionnaire review and editIncorporate orientationAssignment look-up

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

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I-JURY: Automating the process

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Development team

ITS department team consisted of eight staffmembers:Russell Hahn, Liz Chupco, David Friend, TomKokas, Mary Loredo, Lee McCullough, LizMin, and Diane Sager

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Development concerns

TechnologyiJury V1 captured data and emailediJury V1 built without including a database

On-going supportITS department support shared by two people:

One developer supporting JMSOne developer supporting iJury (version 1)

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Development strategy

TechnologyUsed industry standard development software anddatabaseUsed the agile software development techniqueknown as SCRUM

On-going supportDevelopment team shared jury process knowledge

Protect the dataStreamline staff processesIntegrate with JMS

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Development priorities

No personal information stored outside (internet-facing)HTTPS and SSL used to authenticate and encryptdataCommunication failure fallback:

Encrypt and store dataNotify administratorsPeriodic retryClean-up

Firewalls (computer security devices and software)EVERYWHERE!!!

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I-JURY: Protect the data

Many JMS processes duplicated and enhanced in iJuryReassignmentsPostponementsService dismissalsTrial panel documentation production

Several filter variables on juror and trial searchesPDF output on search results and other lists

Common document standardAllows for printing or storage

Visual indicators to highlight data conditionsConfiguration page allows adjustment of iJury behaviors

Default availability periodMinimum consecutive free daysDefault postponement period

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Streamline staff processes

No JMS data or program modificationsData transmission from iJury to JMS via triggers and storedproceduresiJury to JMS data transfers are instantaneousJMS to iJury data transfers occur at timed intervals

Newly summoned jurorsNew impaneling sessions

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Integrate with JMS

W.W.W

Userinterface (UI)

BusinessLogic (BL)

Web server

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I-JURY: Network Configuration

W.W.W

HTTPSUI

Web server

BL

FIREWALL

DataAccess

Layer (DAL)

BL

Application server

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I-JURY: Network Configuration

Database

Database server

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I-JURY: Network ConfigurationFIREWALL

HTTPS

W.W.W

UI

Web server

BL

FIREWALL

DAL

BL

Application server

PublicData

or Encrypted

Database

PublicData

or Encrypted

Database server

DMZ (Perimeter Network)FIREWALL

LAN

Database

PrivateData

Database server

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I-JURY: Network Configuration

W.W.W

UI

Web server

BL

FIREWALL

DAL

BL

Application serverFIREWALL

HTTPS

Database

PublicData

or Encrypted

Database server

DMZ (Perimeter Network)FIREWALL

LAN

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I-JURY: Network Configuration

W.W.W

UI

Web server

BL

FIREWALL

DAL

BL

Application serverFIREWALL

HTTPS

Database

Database server

W.W.W

UI

Web server

BL

DAL

BL

Application server

PrivateData

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Development

Thank you!!!

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: For judge and attorneysBenefits

Having questionnaire in advance increasestrial preparation.

Paperless questionnaire delivery: the judgemay print list or make notations on theelectronic version during voir dire.

Jurors less likely to have schedule conflictsthat interfere with serving on the trial.

Jurors arrive in court better prepared andwith more positive attitude.

Schedule coordination means fewer excuserequests during jury selection.

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I-JURY: For staffBenefits

Automates email communication with jurors(both initial assignment and reminders).

Facilitated tracking of scheduled trials.

Randomized assignment.

Ease of reassigning juror if needed.

Dashboard tracking for trials and jurors.

Juror can log on to check assignment.

Online orientation reduces juror questions.

90+% juror participation in I-Jury.

Less time spent a in-person impaneling.

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I-JURY: 90+% participation means:Benefits

Reduced vehicle emissions.

Fewer work absences related to juryservice.

Reduces cost of jury pay through avoidedappearances (saves $100,000+ per year).

Reduces number of summonses sentbecause of increased juror participation.

Reduction in the number of scheduledimpaneling sessions (saves $25,000+ peryear in rent).

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I-JURY: Recognitions:

Version 1:

The Best of Texas Award for Best ApplicationServing the Public , 2003, Center for DigitalGovernment.

The Best Practices Award for Innovation ,2003, Texas Association of Counties.

Version 2:

Top 10 Court Websites, 2008, Justice Served

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: We re not done yet!Option for SMS (text message) reminderand assignment updates.

Help with finding jurisdiction(s) ofresidence.

Track responses to assignment reminders.

Facilitate juror feedback about jury service.

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I-JURY: We re not done yet!Give attorneys paperless access for voirdire.

Automate hardship, cause, and strikestracking.

Expand I-Jury to neighboring jurisdictionsand perhaps federal court.

Interface with a telephone call-in system forassignment confirmation and updates.

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: The jurors get their say

In the past I had to travel to north Austin where ahuge group was brought together. We were givenour assignments at that time. It took half a day bytime I drove there, was given my assignment andtraveled back home. The online impaneling wasclearly presented easy to follow and complete. If Iremember correctly I was finished in less than ahalf hour. My assignment was given to me byreturn e-mail. What an improvement.

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: The jurors get their say

I appreciated being able togo online to sign up, and Iappreciated that I could bescheduled to do my service- and around my scheduleas well as yours. I foundmost of the processefficient.

I really appreciated thenew I-Jury system. Itwas efficient andpainless. Almostmakes me look forwardto my next jury duty.(Almost!).

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: The jurors get their say

I loved I-Jury. I am a paralegal at a IPlaw firm and it was so easy and FASTto be able to empanel online. It savesso much time versus having to go tothe initial impaneling in person, thenhaving to go back again for the actualjury service. Thanks so much forkeeping up with the times regardingtechnology!!!

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: The jurors get their say

The I Jury system is much better than the oldone was. I reported to Jury Duty 4 times in thepast and was told that the case had beendismissed or something else had happened thatresulted in my not being needed. I don't minddoing my duty but in the event that I won't beneeded it is really nice to know in advance andnot have to spend the time needlessly.

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: The jurors get their say

I am very impressed withhow smoothly this onlineimpaneling systemworks. Thank you somuch for taking fulladvantage of moderntechnology to make thisprocess so simple. Myexperience with jury dutyhas been surprisinglyenjoyable.

I just want to say that theI-Jury is fantastic. I'veused it three times andeach time it has made myjury experience easy.Austin's I-Jury is certainlystate of the art anddesigned for the juror.Thank you.

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: The jurors get their say

I do not know if you can forward this ontosupervisors, managers & your fellow co-workers but the I-Jury has been so easy.Thank you for your hard work in making thispart of our American rights so mucheasier. I have had jury duty in otherjurisdictions in the past & felt positivelyabused. Thanks for making it downrightconvenient to do our duty as citizens andmaking democracy work. Thank you.

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: The jurors get their say

I . . . believe this method will entice morepeople willing to serve on juries. . . . the partthat makes people mad is having the hassle toget to the courthouse, wait a couple hours, onlyto be told we do not need your services. Theattorneys can weed out people faster becausethey will have their pre-screening questionsanswered. Leaving them the people they wantto speak to in person. What deal for everybody!

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Credit goes to . . .

I-Jury v. 1

Amalia Rodriguez-Mendoza,Travis County District Clerk

Michelle Brinkman, Chief Deputy

Cindy Guebara and Nancy Barman

Jury Managers

Liz Chupco, Webmaster

Steve Broberg, Director, RecordsManagement

Aaron Madeley, Email Manager

The District, County, and JusticeCourts of Travis County

The Municipal Court of Austin

I-Jury v. 2

Russell Hahn, Web Services MgrITS Web Development Team:

Tom KokasLiz ChupcoLiz MinDavid FriendDiane SagerLee McCulloughMary Loredo

Joe Harlow, ITS DirectorJudy Pittsford, ITS Asst. Dir.Burnett Treat, District Clerk IT

ManagerVista Solutions, EDMS vendor

Outside the lines; out of the Box:

I-JURY: Questions???

Thank you to e-Courtsfor allowing us toshare our vision andversion of jury systemtechnology.