Jefferson County Courts launch new case-assignment system

Judge Randy R. Koschnick

Last year, the Jefferson County Circuit Court launched a new system for case assignments. At the six-month mark, the new system had moved the county up significantly in statewide rankings in the median age at disposition measurement in case processing, according to Jefferson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Randy R. Koschnick. The main objectives of the new system are to make better use of tax money, improve the level of service to the public and enhance public safety.

Under the new system, individual branches specialize in specific areas. The four branches are assigned to the following two-year rotations: criminal/traffic (two branches); civil/family (one branch); and juvenile/probate/general (one branch). Two full-time court commissioners assist by handling family cases, small claims cases, injunction hearings and criminal intake. This case assignment plan has allowed for more efficient scheduling and the ability to process cases in a more timely manner. Court-related offices and agencies, such as the District Attorney, Public Defender and Human Services also benefit by the increased efficiencies which come along with specialized court assignments in that they are required to assign personnel to fewer branches on an ongoing basis. Public safety is enhanced as criminal cases are given scheduling priority and are thereby resolved promptly.

The new system was implemented without the need to hire additional personnel, so there is no additional cost to the taxpayers, Koschnick said. Due to some personnel changes within the new system, the county actually saved over $12,000 in personnel costs in 2007 and expects to realize ongoing annual savings of similar amounts, Koschnick said.

A key component of the new system is the use of video conferencing. The probate court branch was equipped with a new video conference system in early 2007 as part of the court reorganization plan. As a result, mental commitment patients receiving care at the Winnebago and Mendota Mental Health Institutions no longer have to leave those facilities to be transported by sheriff's deputies to appear at commitment hearings. Now, with the video conferencing system, they can appear from the hospital via video conference. Not only does this save money in transportation costs, Koschnick said he believes it is also a more dignified option for those patients and they no longer have to risk missing treatment to appear. The video conference system cost will be offset by transport savings within the first two years. Plans are currently underway to equip the other courtrooms with video conference systems at two year intervals with the cost likewise offset by transport savings.

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