Cook County Approves New Technology for Public Defender’s Office

Upgrade replaces antiquated system with efficient, modern solution

The Cook County Public Defender will be getting a new case management system that improves the handling of case initiation, subpoena management, investigations, case scheduling, managing expert witnesses and dispositions. The $2.3 million purchase was approved by the Cook County Board of Commissioners at their meeting this week.

“We want to make sure assistant public defenders can effectively manage their case loads as well as ensure that case information is stored electronically in a secured environment,” said Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle. “This new system will also generate important information that will allow better office efficiency and attorney assignments.”

Cook County Public Defender, Amy Campanelli, said, “The new system will automate a number of processes and improve the efficiency of our operations. The system will reduce or get rid of many inefficient paper-based processes and eliminate redundant data entry.”

The new system is designed to be easily reconfigured, which will allow it to support future needs and work well with other systems. “The system will not only improve case management; it will improve the efficiency of operations for the office as a whole, allowing us to better fulfill our mission to protect the fundamental rights, liberties and dignity of each person whose case has been entrusted to our care by providing the finest legal representation.” Campanelli said, “The bottom line is that the system will help us be better prepared to represent our clients in court.

The new system, provided by Journal Technologies, will work on desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile devices, allowing attorneys greater mobility. Nationwide, more than 400 governmental agencies use this system.