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Senate committee backs pilot for automated court-date text reminders; courts and technology officials support a test
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Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 13 would direct a pilot program for automated text reminders in justice-of-the-peace criminal and traffic courts; supporters including DELGIS, the Administrative Office of the Courts and Pew Charitable Trusts cited evidence that reminders reduce missed appearances and save enforcement resources.
Wilmington — The Senate Judiciary Committee considered Senate Joint Resolution 13, which would direct the Delaware judiciary to pilot automated text-message reminders for justice-of-the-peace criminal and traffic court appearances in order to reduce missed hearings, bench warrants and related escalations.
Senator Pettyjohn told the committee that missed court appearances often stem from forgetfulness and that text reminders are a proven, low-cost intervention. The proposed pilot would automatically enroll people who have a phone number on file unless they opt out, send at least two reminders (about a week before and the day before), and require a report from the judiciary on costs and outcomes to inform possible statewide expansion.
Speakers from the courts and technology offices backed the resolution. Evelyn Desselrod of the Administrative Office of the Courts thanked the sponsor and urged careful timing for the pilot report so the courts would have sufficient data. Dominic Coretta, executive director of DELGIS, said the state has the technology to implement a program and that DELGIS stands ready to help. Alana Mocek of the Office of Defense Services urged clear, accessible language in communications and noted that JP-court missed appearances can lead to warrants and greater involvement of public defenders.
Isabel Shapiro of the Pew Charitable Trusts summarized evidence showing reminders reduce missed court dates (citing randomized trials with reductions of 20% to 40% and a 37% figure from a 2025 poll about reasons people miss court). Shapiro said a pilot that follows best practices in timing and content would position Delaware to modernize court communications and reduce unnecessary jail admissions.
The committee entertained motions near the end of the hearing; the transcript records motions and seconds but does not include a roll-call vote for the later actions recorded.