Track 4: Achieving Timely Dispositions: Virtual Settlements for Warrants and Minor Infractions
Tuesday, September 22, 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Location: 101 D/E
Presenters: Judge Dawn Klida, MJ Cartwright, Professor J.J. Prescott
Track: The Judiciary in a Virtual, Mobile, Social World
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The University of Michigan and Court Innovations are working with Michigan District Courts to enable citizens to negotiate settlements of traffic tickets and minor infractions, in addition to resolving outstanding warrants via online/mobile devices.
Faced with a backlog, the 74th District Court in Bay City, Bay County, Michigan began looking for a way to improve access to justice and court efficiency. Traffic, failure to appear, and failure to pay fines are cases that do not necessarily need to be heard in court, yet are the most common cases that judges hear.
In late 2014, the court began offering an online platform (Matterhorn) as an alternative to resolving these minor violations in person, which cost the courts and defendants unnecessary time and money. The Matterhorn platform enables defendants, police, prosecutors, and judges to conveniently work together toward resolving a traffic ticket or warrant online.
Resources:
- Court Innovations
- “Contesting a Traffic Ticket? Getting Divorced? Some Jurisdictions Use software to Resolve the Issues,” ABA Journal, July 15, 2015.
- "Online Ticket Review Helps Make Courts More Accessible and Efficient," Michigan Supreme Court News Release, June 8, 2015.
- "Court Innovations’ Online Platform for Violations, Warrants Reduces Backlog at 74th District Court," Legal News, May 20, 2015.
- “Traffic Court Goes Digital: Start-up Fosters Settlements,” Detroit Free Press, March 15, 2015.
- “Online Court Proposed to Resolve Claims of Up to £25,000,” The Guardian, February 15, 2015.
Session Materials
About the Presenters
Judge Klida has been a Bay County District Court judge since 2010 and is known for her innovation, collaboration, and active involvement in the community. She previously served as a commissioner for Bay County, chair of the Bangor Township School Board, and board member of the Mid-Michigan Dispute Resolution Center. She was a partner at the firm Lambert, Leser, Isackson, Cook & Giunta, P.C.
MJ Cartwright has worked in many different industries leading technology initiatives, including manufacturing, education and training, health care, and medical devices. Now she brings her expertise to the judicial ecosystem, working with courts, other stakeholders, and citizens to implement solutions that address today’s issues.
J. J. Prescott is the principal investigator of the U-M Online Court Project, which uses technology to help people facing warrants, fines, and minor charges resolve their disputes with the government and courts online and without the need to hire an attorney. Prof. Prescott earned his JD, magna cum laude, in 2002 from Harvard Law School, clerked for the Hon. Merrick B. Garland on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, and received a PhD in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2006.