The paperless Court of Appeals comes of age.

• Author: Espinosa, Philip G.
• Position: Arizona - Performance-Focused Technology

1. INTRODUCTION

   The future of totally virtual, or in more pragmatic terms, completely paperless appellate case management and decision processing, is now. Many articles have been written about this subject generally, and some in particular about the cutting-edge developments at Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals. (1) Numerous technological innovations over the last ten years have indeed brought about welcome changes and significant improvements in Division Two's accessibility for both appellate practitioners and the public. But new advancements within the court are even more remarkable, and could be described as a sea change in case processing and internal operations.

   This article will provide an update on Division Two's progress over the last year, focusing on the court's new internal case-management system, which has eliminated the last vestiges of paper in any part of our process, transforming the way we work. If you are wondering how this might relate to other courts or to your own, the answer is simple: Our system works so amazingly well, with attendant efficiency, convenience, and cost reduction, that no high-volume appellate court should be without it or something very similar. (2)

2. A QUICK TOUR OF THE NEW DIVISION TWO SYSTEM

   It goes without saying that computerized case management is a necessity and the norm for probably every appellate court in the country. Division Two has been at the forefront of many e-initiatives over the past twelve years, including e-filing of almost all documents, even exhibits and court-reporter transcripts; the wholesale electronic transfer of records on appeal from our client courts throughout southern Arizona; and providing easy online access to all case information at every stage of decision processing for all Division Two legal writers and staff. (3) But even appellate judges familiar with technology are likely to find something remarkable in Division Two's new system, which comprehensively integrates many discrete modules and automated processes (e-filing, document management, word processing, electronic conferencing, court orders, and final-decision processing) through one central access point: a simple online "dashboard" that looks the same every time I view it, no matter which device or location I am accessing it from, and which has revolutionized the work process of an already technically accomplished court.

   1. Division Two's caseDocs Dashboard and Where It Leads Arizona Court of Appeals Division Two caseDocs--Case Processing Judge Espinosa, Philip G. Decisions waiting approval: [check] = you approved this decision. Cases will continue to appear here until approved by the 3 judges and Released. [check] 2 CA-CR 2013-0317-PR--STATE OF ARIZONA v. MARK JONES [check] 2 CA-CR 2013-0394-PR--STATE OF ARIZONA v. JOSE GARCIA My Cases Agenda Calendar PJ/Clerk Review Discussion Calendar * On-Hold Discussion Calendar * Hide Notes Oral Argument XDocs (info & share center) For Information Only Final Decision Processing This straightforward dashboard display (4) is now my daily starting point, usually via my office desktop, but just as easily called up on my laptop at home or on my tablet at the airport. In any of those locations, the only software needed is any one of the popular web browsers on every PC. Because the specific technology involved is nothing new and, for the most part, readily accessible, and since most of us are not technologists in any event, I will highlight and discuss only our internal working process--something we, as appellate judges, writers, and case managers, deal with on a daily basis.

   You can see that some of this dashboard is self-explanatory. "My Cases" means just what it says. With one click of the mouse or touch on the tablet, my entire case list appears, accompanied by several interactive fields that can instantly bring up the procedural history and complete record on appeal for any matter, all related documents, and a list of any and all working drafts to date. Clicking on a draft opens it, and my chambers staff and I can view any and all drafts at any time, and at the same time if desired. Further, each draft carries automatic filename designations that at a glance identify its processing stage, for example, .draft (preliminary draft), .cc (cite-checked), .edit (edited by staff attorney), or .dist (distributed to panel). Each is automatically tracked to display its own history, development, and up-to-the-minute progress. This is an invaluable draft-management tool, particularly if, as in many high-volume courts, you are juggling numerous cases in various stages of the appellate process.

   When a draft's author is ready to distribute a proposed decision to his or her panel, the draft is, with a few simple clicks, uploaded to the Discussion Calendar for review by the two other judges, who can read the draft online, suggest edits, and leave comments. Thus, when I call up my password-protected dashboard each day, I routinely click...