The support is where [JustWare] really excels. Because of the huge amount of flexibility built into the software, getting it configured just for our use and then improving on our workflow has been a major challenge. We could not have done it without the support from New Dawn Technologies.Jim Bledsoe
Assistant City Attorney
Spokane Municipal Prosecutors, Probation, and Public Defenders purchased JustWare as their new case management solution moving them toward a paperless environment. The implementation of JusticeBroker created the setting for a criminal justice integrated system (CJIS) in Spokane.
The City of Spokane previously used an in-house developed Microsoft Access database system to track and manage cases and dispositions. “We file anywhere from 10,000 to 12,000 criminal cases a year,” said Jim Bledsoe, Spokane Assistant City Attorney. “Moving all those files around to meet the various dockets resulted in hours and hours of pulling, sorting, and re-filing cases by our staff. We were also using a very large amount of paper to provide the three agencies [Prosecutor, Probation, and Public Defender] with the basic police report.” The Access database lacked the functionality they were looking for and had no features to facilitate Spokane’s goal of a paperless office and courtroom.
The Municipal Prosecutors, Probation, and Public Defenders joined forces to find a case management solution that would improve case and disposition tracking, allow for seamless transfer of information between the agencies, and accommodate a paperless working environment. Spokane selected the JustWare | Solution Suite after exploring its integration capabilities and visiting a nearby prosecutor’s office using JustWare. “We liked its flexibility and potential for a paperless office and courtroom,” Bledsoe explained of their selection of JustWare. "The bottom line is that JustWare is a solution that exceeds both needs and expectations."
New Dawn project managers began immediately to implement agency-defined elements of the JustWare | Solution Suite in the three participating offices with one shared database between Prosecutor and Probation, and one stand-alone database used by the Public Defenders.
“The Municipal Prosecutors, Probation, and Public Defenders went ‘live’ in March of 2009 and Non-DV Prosecutor and Probation went paperless in the courtroom about 90 days thereafter,” said Bledsoe. "We use the product in live court every day. We walked away from paper files and do not plan to go back." Now equipped with JustWare’s configurability and workflow and document automation capabilities, Spokane immediately noticed drastic improvements in their agencies’ processes. Still, having two separate databases did not allow for the seamless integration of data the agencies were looking for. That ended with the implementation of a New Dawn JusticeBroker data exchange.
“JusticeBroker is a conduit between these two databases that will not only accelerate the communication of information but standardize it, and ensure accuracy,” explains Bledsoe. Before JusticeBroker and JustWare, the preliminary task of transmitting the police report between the three agencies was a long and arduous task. “This process used to take several days to accomplish, or in some cases longer, and was composed of an intricate set of steps and procedures to ensure the report was produced and delivered,” recalled Bledsoe. Now with JusticeBroker in place to exchange data between the agencies, police reports are delivered in a matter of minutes if not less. “Typically within three minutes or less, the public defender will receive all information contained on the face of the ticket—charges, who, what, when, and where, along with a copy of the police report itself,” said Bledsoe. Spokane will continue to improve processes and integration as they work toward a CJIS environment where information is available for all agencies at the click of a button.
“Standing squarely behind a rich and evolving product is a support staff well qualified to answer questions and ensure the buyer is able to attain the desired performance from JustWare," continued Bledsoe. “Because of the huge amount of flexibility built into the software, getting it configured just for our use and then improving on our workflow has been a major challenge. We could not have done it without the support from New Dawn Technologies.”
"Unquestioningly, JustWare is a superior product viewed from any angle," says Bledsoe. "Its flexibility and adaptability enabled it to meet the needs of any user."