Oakland County, Michigan, Aug. 1, 2008 -- Ruth Johnson, Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds, said the first year of the county's innovative e-Filing Project has been more successful than anticipated.

"Our e-Filing Project with the Oakland Circuit Court has surpassed our expectations - it's just one of the ways we've put technology to work in meaningful ways for the residents and businesses of Oakland County," Johnson said.

To date, approximately 108,000 pages of legal documents - picture a stack of paper three building stories tall - have been electronically filed in 2,400 court cases.  More than 1,600 law firms, with some 1,400 trained users, are involved in the e-Filing Project.

Initially limited to the courtroom of Circuit Court Judge Michael Warren, the program was expanded in January to three additional judges including Chief Judge Wendy Potts, Judge Fred Mester and Judge Colleen O'Brien. It is mandatory in certain types of civil cases, ranging from negligence and medical malpractice to personal injury and contract dispute cases. Attorneys in those cases are required to file and serve documents electronically.

"This is an exciting day for us," said Judge Potts. "We have proven e-filing works at the Circuit Court level and that, even with obstacles, government can put responsible technology to work to advance the administration of justice."

"I am very pleased with the e-Filing and the paperless courtroom program," said Judge Warren. "Not only have we saved a small forest, but we have significantly increased the efficiency of the court and administration of justice.  This program has placed the Oakland County Circuit Court at the leading edge of innovative court practices in service to the public." 

The cost of the program, a public-private partnership with the Florida-based Wiznet, was limited to the investment of staff time by members of the Circuit Court, the Clerk's Office and the county's IT Department. Law offices pay $5-8 for each transaction.

"The success of the project in Oakland County is a result of the tremendous dedication and cooperation shown by the Clerk's Office, IT, and the Court in embracing change and technology," said Robert Schott of Wiznet, who called it a win/win for the public, bench, bar and court.

"Wiznet is proud to partner with Oakland County in creating a successful template for improving access to justice and streamlining operations in Michigan courts," Schott said. "This initiative clearly puts Oakland County in the forefront of national court technology."