Before COVID 19 the court system was not in the best shape. State and federal budget cuts have resulted in reduced staffing, which mean fewer court clerks, fewer court reporters, reduced security and a general reduction of overall court services. All the while the public has become more litigious. The demand for court services increased while the availability of services decreased.



The courts are also a bit of the last frontier. Due to budget cuts and the age of Judges and lawyers, technology is not always adopted readily, if at all. In essence, Courts are dinosaurs.

Then COVID 19 hit. For the courts, it was like a blow to the gut of a fighter already on the mat. I have been working, in one capacity or another, within the court system for many years, but when San Diego superior court issued an Order in mid-May that 87,000 hearings would have to be rescheduled due to the closure from COVID 19, even I did a double take.

There is however a bit of a shining star in all of this…many courts took the opportunity, perhaps it was more of a message, to begin to utilize technology to improve systems. Most courts are now allowing e-filing. Many hearings are being conducted telephonically. Case management conferences, status conferences, trial setting conferences all being conducted telephonically. This should have happened years ago. Clients pay thousands of dollars for their attorney to appear at a status conference that sometimes results in the lawyer being in the courthouse for 4 hours (and billing that entire time). Now, attorneys will call in for these types of hearing. Depositions are now being conducted electronically. Also, saving a client thousands of dollars.

In the upcoming months, the overcrowding and the new safety regulations will result in significant delays for clients involved in litigation that require in person hearings. However, with the increased use of technology now being utilized by the courts there is hope that ultimately the client will see some benefit.

But…expect the delays and the chaos to be even more than before COVID 19 as all of this gets sorted out. If you have litigation, now is the time to think about mediation and or settlement of your matter.

Our goal at DocuPrep has been to utilize technology so that client services are efficient. We are more than able to work with the courts and attorneys that are working to adapt to the new technology demands. An example of some of the services we offer: DocuPrep is able to provide e-filing for attorneys and clients to all of the courts that now offer it. We can also set up CourtCall for telephonic appearances. Also, DocuPrep will be offering court reporting services, electronic, through videography soon!

Jonny is the owner of DocuPrep where she is working to bridge the gap between attorneys and individuals by providing document support services. Her resource blogs are designed to provide you with the necessary tools to organize your information and manage your affairs yourself. Knowledge is Power.

Author: Jonny Morales