Idaho’s cash-strapped courts are looking to go all-electronic in the future to save money and serve the public better. State courts Administrator Patti Tobias told lawmakers Monday the courts have increasingly been using technology to gain efficiencies, and plan next year to bring the Legislature a proposal to allow Idahoans to “complete much of their court business in real time online, 24/7, without going to the courthouse.”

She said, “You will file court cases, pay your traffic ticket if you got one, find out when a case is scheduled for hearing, check criminal records, and view documents filed in a case – all electronically. … Idahoans will see better access, greater convenience, and more information.”

Tobias told legislative budget writers, “We are absolutely committed to finding innovative and efficient ways to meet the needs of Idahoans, using the resources that you have provided.” You can read my full story here at spokesman.com.