The Baker County Justice Court received and the board approved a contract to transition from limited messaging services to a full case-management platform provided by ecourtdate.com.

Court staff described the platform as an expansion of existing automated messaging (text and email reminders) to permit defendants to view case status online, pay fines, set up payment plans, plead (with options presented online), and appear remotely via conference/phone or video when configured. Staff told commissioners the service will reduce clerks’ workload, make case information available to users remotely and offer features that point-and-pay systems do not currently provide.

The first-year implementation cost quoted in the meeting was $11,900 with anticipated vendor discounts; the recurring annual price discussed was $12,400. Court staff said the first-year implementation expense could be absorbed in the current overall budget partly because other contract costs had been held steady. Commissioners voted to approve the contract and staff will move forward with implementation and vendor contracting steps.