One of the most important developments in Indiana’s judicial system has been largely unpublicized, though countless Hoosiers are now benefiting from it – and an Allen County native is at the forefront of its technological achievements.

The continuing effort to tie all of Indiana’s courts to a central computer system that offers public court records online is taking years as officials convert the state’s 400 courts and their millions of cases to the system, one court at a time. Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan and Court of Appeals Judge Paul Mathias, previously a judge in Allen County, have championed and led the effort.

In addition to the case files, some other records filed in the courts, such as domestic violence protective orders, are now available to all courts and police agencies instantaneously, arguably improving the safety of Hoosiers.

How the system is helping Hoosiers can be seen through some of the statistics:

992,497

The number of Allen County cases available online. Statewide, more than 7 million cases are accessible.

Does your new neighbor have a criminal record? Did you forget which date you’re due in court for a traffic ticket? What sentence did the judge give the burglar who broke into your house? About a third of all Indiana’s court records are available online at mycase.in.gov/

89,361

The number of electronic tickets that police departments in Allen County had issued from 2006 through July 2.

By far, Indiana State Police have issued the most electronic tickets. While all state police officers have electronic ticket capability, the necessary equipment is being phased in for city police. Nearly 90 officers have the equipment now, Chief Rusty York said. One of the efficiencies: Court personnel no longer have to re-enter all the information on traffic tickets into court computers.

207,670

The number of notifications sent to the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles from Allen County courts as of July 26.

The notices immediately update Hoosiers’ driving records with the state, a process that formerly took up to six weeks when done by hand. Drivers whose license suspensions were removed by a court action will no longer have to wait days or weeks to reapply for the license.

67,247

The number of court protective orders issued across the state in 2010 that were immediately sent to police and court databases.

One advantage: Police responding to a complaint of a prowler, for example, can quickly discover whether the resident has a protective order barring a former boyfriend from being on the property. Victims of violence can work with staff of women’s shelters to file for the orders instead of going to the Courthouse.

225

The number of mental health adjudication findings in Allen County immediately sent to the national FBI database. Someone judged mentally ill is not legally permitted to buy a gun.

$3.4 million

The amount of money the state courts program has provided to local courts for the technology. This money comes from court fees and criminal justice grants, not property taxes.