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Resident urges online access to court filings; commissioners point to clerk’s authority and budget role
Summary
A resident asked the commissioners to explore an online system for public access to court filings. Commissioners said the prothonotary/Clerk of Courts would need to initiate the work and that the commissioners could support it through the annual budget if the clerk requests it.
During the public-comment portion of the July 28 meeting, Jeffrey Byers told the Lawrence County Board of Commissioners that many residents who work daytime hours cannot visit the courthouse to pick up court filings and dockets and urged the county to investigate an online public-access system.
“The idea I have is that … we should maybe explore some options … Maybe 2, 3 years down the line, we can say, hey. We have an online system so that people don’t have to come to the courthouse every time,” Byers said, citing state and federal online court systems as examples.
Commissioners responded that the prothonotary/Clerk of Courts would need to initiate any expansion of online services because row officers are independently elected. The chair noted that the county could assist from a budgetary standpoint if the clerk requests funding during the annual budget process. The chair also suggested Byers speak directly with Jody Clavin Asaldo, the county’s prothonotary and clerk of courts, to determine current capabilities and costs.
Jody Clavin Asaldo confirmed offices vary in existing online services and that implementation would be driven by the clerk’s office. Commissioners offered to evaluate any proposed solution for efficiency and cost and encouraged the requester to consult the county website for offices that already provide online services.
No formal directive or appropriation was made at the meeting; the board recommended follow-up between the resident and the clerk’s office.
