Georgia Courts Automation Commission

About The Commission...

Agency Profile

GCAC Strategic Business Plan 2008 (pdf)

Introduction

The General Assembly created the Georgia Courts Automation Commission in 1991. OCGA § 15-5-80 states the commission shall consist of 11 members. One member shall be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia or his designee, and the remaining members shall be appointed by the Chief Justice as follows:

1) One Judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia;
2) Three superior court judges;
3) One superior court clerk;
4) One state court judge;
5) One juvenile court judge;
6) One probate court judge;
7) One magistrate court judge; and
8) One municipal court judge.

All members of the commission shall serve at the pleasure of the Chief Justice.

15-5-81. Advisory council to commission; members; compensation.

Statute text

(a) There shall be an Advisory Council to the Georgia Courts Automation Commission, hereafter referred to in this article as the "advisory council." The advisory council shall consist of:

a. the commissioner of administrative services or the commissioner's designee,

b. the director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or the director's designee,

c. the commissioner of corrections or the commissioner's designee,

d. the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner's designee,

e. the chairman of the State Board of Pardons and Paroles or the chairman's designee,

f. the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts or the director's designee,

g. the director of the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council or the director's designee,

h. the director of the Children and Youth Coordinating Council or the director's designee,

i. and the executive director of the Georgia Technology Authority or the executive director's designee.

The Georgia Courts Automation Commission is legislatively authorized to:

(1) Define, implement, and administer a state-wide courts automation system including data collection, data storage, retrieval, processing, and distribution;

(2) Coordinate and cooperate with the state's chief information officer;

(3) Receive electronic data from civil case filing and disposition forms;

(4) Compile the civil filings and dispositions data, and provide such data to the Administrative Office of the Courts;

(5) Participate in agreements, contracts, and networks necessary or convenient for the performance of the above duties;

(6) Administer federal, state, local, and other public or private funds made available for implementation of the courts automation system;

(7) Coordinate state-wide strategies and plans for incorporating county and local governments into the court automation system;

(8) Establish policies and procedures, rules and regulations, and technical and performance standards:

(9) Offer advisory services to county and local governments to assist in guiding their efforts toward automating their court procedures and operations.

Mission

To facilitate the automation and integration of court information for the benefit of each class of court and the citizens of Georgia.

1. Facilitate appropriate and prompt collection of court data in compatible or standardized electronic formats; arrange for storage in state databases; make such data available to, and provide for data exchanges between, local courts and state agencies; and serve as central office for courts network.

2. Assist local courts in automated case management and electronic legal research.

3. Promote new technologies by demonstration courtroom(s), public appearances and similar devices.

4. Provide technical support for the judicial branch of state government

5. Provide such services with awareness that:

(1) Court needs and resources vary;

(2) Accurate and prompt data collection are both statewide and local objectives; and

(3) Data collected has both state and local value.

Policies For Carrying Out The Mission

1. Continue to support and enhance management and data collection software for all courts.

2. Establish minimal standards – certify vendors and software.

3. Engage in projects that meet the following requirements:

a. Statewide Application
b. Spell out Proprietary interest
c. Spell out Staff commitments
d. Total costs – financial resources cost benefit analysis
e. Performance criteria/evaluation tools
f. Contracts must be for specific purpose
g. Time table objectives, tied to pay deadlines
h. Project must meet strategic plan

4. Develop Strategic Plan.

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