Staff Reports
North Carolina’s court system is making great strides in the transition from paper to electronic files. Despite some hiccups along the way, the project leader, Ryan Boyce, assured state legislators that the electronic system, called Odyssey, will be fully operational statewide by next year.
Boyce addressed the concerns about the system’s response time, acknowledging that there were some issues initially, particularly after major software updates. However, he emphasized that the project team has been working diligently to address these challenges and has seen significant improvement over the past year. After a major software update in March, the system’s processing times and stability have greatly improved, reducing system latency.
Rollout of eCourts an Odyssey incrementally improvinghttps://t.co/dwVjtsuQr5
— The Center Square (@thecentersquare) April 4, 2024
In a promising development, the state has required the vendor to migrate the entire system to a more robust Amazon Web Services cloud platform at no additional cost. This migration has already resulted in increased system response times and stability, marking a significant step forward in the project’s progress.
Looking ahead, Boyce shared that the system may eventually have the capability to automatically notify attorneys of important events in pending cases, such as when a judge issues an order. This functionality would streamline communication and enhance efficiency within the court system.
The positive impact of the electronic system was underscored by Michelle Ball, clerk of Superior Court in Johnston County, who praised its ability to improve service to citizens. She highlighted the system’s accessibility and real-time updates, positioning North Carolina as a leader in online court resources.
While acknowledging ongoing challenges, Ball expressed confidence in the system’s continuous improvement and its potential to modernize North Carolina’s court operations.
In conclusion, North Carolina’s electronic court system, Odyssey, is on track to revolutionize the state’s judicial processes by enhancing efficiency and accessibility. Despite initial setbacks, the project’s leaders and supporters remain optimistic about its fut
