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Donna Edgar (JTAC) and Monroe Co. Judge Kenneth R. Todd, with Justice Frank Sullivan, Jr., (not pictured) present the Odyssey system in Monroe Co.	Judge Brown learns about adding cases to the system at a JTAC training session.

Judicial Technology and Automation Committee
Odyssey CMS Live in Monroe County & Washington Township, Marion County

“The eight Circuit Courts in Monroe County and the Washington Township Small Claims Court in Marion County have begun using the Indiana Supreme Court’s ‘Odyssey’ computer system to manage their cases,” Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard said today.  “This is a major step forward in the Supreme Court’s goal to equip all Indiana courts with 21st century case management technology.”  Washington Township began using the system on December 14 and the Monroe County courts on December 17.

Public information on cases in these courts is available at no charge via the Supreme Court’s website (www.courts.in.gov).  This information will expand each time a new court begins to use Odyssey.  Public access and connections between Odyssey and law enforcement and other government agencies furthers the Supreme Court’s companion goal to connect Indiana courts’ case management system to those who need and use court information.

Chief Justice Shepard said the pioneering work of the nine pilot courts in Monroe and Marion Counties will benefit the entire state.  “Being first can be a point of pride, but it also requires a special commitment.  Monroe Circuit Court Presiding Judge Kenneth G. Todd, Monroe Circuit Court Clerk Jim Fielder, and Washington Township Judge Kimberly Brown, and their colleagues and staff gave us the full measure of their input and expertise,” said Shepard.  “They have been great partners in this endeavor.”

Odyssey was developed by Tyler Technologies Inc.  The Supreme Court’s Division of State Court Administration chose Tyler to provide the Odyssey case management system for Indiana following a competitive procurement process, public demonstration sessions, and the recommendation of three review committees.

“While the simultaneous deployment of Odyssey in nine Indiana courts is a milestone to celebrate, 2008 promises to be a year of even more aggressive progress toward the Supreme Court’s goals,” said Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan, Jr., who chairs the court’s Judicial Technology and Automation Committee (JTAC). 

“A significant upgrade to Odyssey is scheduled to be released in late winter,” Sullivan said, “adding even more features to help Indiana courts and court clerks – and we hope to have many additional courts using Odyssey by next year’s end.”  Statewide rollout will follow over the next several years.

Although the Odyssey system is and will be used by local Indiana courts, Sullivan said that the Supreme Court will be responsible for all costs associated with the licensing, maintenance, and further upgrading of the system.  “The General Assembly has directed that a portion of court filing fees underwrite the cost of this project,” Sullivan said, “and we are deeply grateful for the Legislature’s confidence in this effort.”

 “With more than 1.5 million cases filed in Indiana courts each year, Hoosier courts and court clerks need 21st century case management systems and Hoosier law enforcement officers, lawyers, government agencies, and citizens need timely and accurate court information,” Shepard concluded. “With nine Indiana courts using Odyssey, free public access to their records, and aggressive rollout plans for 2008 and beyond, we are well underway toward meeting those needs.”

More information on the Indiana Supreme Court’s Case Management System is online at: http://www.in.gov/judiciary/jtac/programs/cms.html