Court took strides to modernize last year but more work needed, report finds

An advisory group made to encourage court modernization after the pandemic released their annual progress report this week. Eagle file photo by David Handschuh

By Noah Powelson

Court officials said this week that while the court system has seen major strides in its transition into the 21st Century, major gaps in its technological capabilities remain.

The progress and remaining needs in regards to the court system’s ongoing modernization process was laid out in an annual report issued by the Unified Court System this week.

The Pandemic Practices Working Group, which was formed in 2023 after the COVID-19 pandemic revealed significant blind spots in court access, released their progress report on Monday. Previously, the advisory committee made 14 modernization recommendations, including expanding virtual proceedings and increasing accessibility accommodations.

To answer those recommendations, the Court Modernization Action Committee was formed in March of 2023, led by retired Monroe County Supreme Court Justice Craig Doran and co-chaired by Kings County Supreme Court Justice Patria Frias-Colón, and has held regular stakeholder meetings to address the goals laid out by PPWG. The progress report released by the committee on Monday served as an update after two years of work and a guideline for future modernization.

Overall, the report says courtrooms have seen significant progress meeting modernization goals, particularly around virtual appearances. But there are several long-term initiatives that will likely take years before their impact is felt in the courts. The report also said legislation will be needed to expand certain modernization initiatives.

“While we have achieved new milestones in advancing court modernization efforts, much work remains as we carve out a roadmap for tomorrow and beyond in our mission to effectively respond to the ever-growing and evolving justice needs of New Yorkers who, seeking resolution from our courts, come from all walks of life and all areas of the State,” Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas said in a statement following the report’s release.

The report noted multiple major modernization successes, the biggest of which was the $182 million budget increase the court system received in 2024, most of which was allocated to court modernization efforts.

The end of 2024 also saw the passage of legislation that authorized the UCS to allow e-filing in all courts and counties. The use of e-filing was previously limited before a bill that gave the administrative judge the authority to institute e-filing of court documents, on either a voluntary or mandatory basis, in all New York State trial courts and cases. E-filing was critical to keep court operations afloat during the pandemic, and remained in high demand after court proceedings returned in person.

The committee also stated that courtroom audio system upgrades are nearing completion. Of the state’s 1,570 courtrooms, roughly 92 percent have been upgraded with the latest audio systems, the report reads. One hundred courtrooms have also been updated to the latest hybrid standards.

The report also gave updates on two pieces of technology in their early developments that should, if all goes well, be implemented across New York courts in the coming years.

One such technology is the NY-Virtual Court Appearance Platform, otherwise called VCAP, a communication platform launched in 2024 that is planned to replace the use of Microsoft Teams in courtrooms. Currently, a pilot program for VCAP is underway and has 41 judges across the state participating, including two from Queens. The report said plans are underway to expand the VCAP pilot as feedback is collected.

The other piece of technology is the Virtual Court Access Network, a system that provides court access in public spaces such as libraries and houses of worship. VCAN sites provide basic resources to court users and gives access to virtual court proceedings, petition filing and court staff communication for those who lack the technology.

“I am grateful for the CMAC’s guidance and support in the implementation of innovations and reforms that will serve to enhance operational efficiency, foster equal justice, and improve the court experience for all court users,” First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George said.

Several other projects will likely take months or years before their implementation is seen.

The court system’s website is currently going through a redesign, although it’s not likely to be completed until late 2025 or even early 2026. Redesign work began in August of 2024, and the report said the firm working on the website was contracted for 16 months.

Additionally, while the report said UCS has expanded the process for requesting livestream access to court proceedings, that currently only exists in the Civil Court. The report said policy around livestreaming court cases still needs to be developed, and a livestreaming platform needs to be selected.

The committee said several rule changes needed to be considered in 2025 to encourage virtual court appearances, and that new legislation may be required. Namely, the UCS needs to consider the future use of virtual jury selection.