Commissioners Approve $132K for Criminal Court Clerk's Technology Systems

A resolution to enhance technology in the Shelby County criminal court system took center stage at the September 3, 2025, committee meeting. Sponsored by Commissioner Miska Clay Bibbs, the proposal seeks to allocate $132,370 from the general fund to fully fund three critical technology systems for the criminal court clerk's office.

Heidi, the criminal court clerk, along with her finance director, emphasized the necessity of these advancements. "This resolution is probably familiar to you because we have been before you before," she stated, highlighting the ongoing struggle to secure full funding. Previous attempts had resulted in only partial funding or cuts to the budget.

The three proposed programs include a research system for attorneys to access case information, a court analytics dashboard aimed at increasing public transparency, and a redaction program to manage sensitive information. The comptroller has also recommended the implementation of the court analytics system to ensure accountability from indictment to case disposal.

The resolution was moved by Vice Chair Bradford and seconded by Commissioner Sugarman, indicating strong support among committee members. The discussions underscored the importance of modernizing the court's technology to improve efficiency and transparency in the judicial process. As the committee considers this resolution, the outcome could significantly impact the operational capabilities of the criminal court clerk's office.