Wake County court sees glitches, delays as they roll out new digital filing system

Courts in Wake County and three neighboring counties are facing problems with a new electronic filing system – and it's delaying justice for some people, according to attorneys.

Before the rollout of this eCourts system, an attorney could take a paper form into the courthouse and file it in the Clerk's Office or get it signed by a judge. Now, all of that has to be done online.

Something that used to take 15 minutes, now takes hours, according to an attorney who spoke with WRAL News. We talked to several attorneys who say they've run into glitches and delays that are slowing down the justice system.

The state is piloting this eCourts system in Wake, Johnston, Harnett and Lee counties. They are the test run for this $100 million eCourts transition, which is designed to move the court system from paper forms to digital files.

The launch was delayed from back in October to this past Monday.

It requires attorneys to submit any new filings in court cases electronically.

"It’s entirely possible, because a lot of court time is being used right now to learn how to make the system work, that justice is being delayed," says Seth Blum, a partner with Kurtz & Blum.

Parrish Hayes, another attorney, is concerned the delays could impact people waiting in jail.

"The technology is struggling to keep up with the pace of the courts," says Hayes.

Hayes says Monday the scanners weren't working, and Tuesday the Wi-Fi was down.

"The judge, who’s sitting three feet from them, they send it to him electronically," says Hayes. "During this time, you’re just watching your browser spin and spin and spin and spin."

Hayes says access to justice for victims is going to be longer.

"People will sit in jail longer," says Hayes.

The director of the state court system tells WRAL News there have not been any catastrophic failures.

"We are keenly aware of the timeliness we need to provide, and it’s unfortunate that there are any delays. I guess my request is to hang in there with us. Don’t judge the system after 3 days or 6 days, but maybe after 6 months when everybody’s hardened into the system and knows how to use it," says Judge Andrew Heath, the NCAOC Director.

He says the eCourts system has been slow at times and had some issues with its functions. However, he says the state is working with the software provider Tyler Technologies to fix any issues as they come up.

In the meantime, he's asking for patience if you have to come here to the courthouse – since workers are still learning this new system.

The state is paying $100 million over 10 years for this system. The state wants eCourts in all 100 counties by 2025.