Kansas launches new court records search system with enhanced features – KCTV

Report on the Launch of the Kansas CaseSearch System and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

System Overview and Transition

The Kansas judicial branch has launched a new online tool, CaseSearch, designed to provide more comprehensive access to district court records. This system replaces the former Kansas District Court Public Access Portal. A transitional period is in effect where both systems will remain active, after which the legacy portal will be decommissioned, making CaseSearch the sole platform for accessing these public records. The Kansas Appellate Courts Public Access Portal remains unaffected by this change.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The implementation of the CaseSearch system represents a significant step toward achieving key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The new system directly supports the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels (Target 16.6). By providing enhanced public access to court information, the judicial branch increases its transparency and accountability to the citizens it serves.
• Public Access to Information (Target 16.10): CaseSearch is a practical application of the goal to ensure public access to information. It empowers attorneys, journalists, researchers, and the general public with efficient tools to find and utilize court data, reinforcing fundamental freedoms.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The in-house development of the CaseSearch system by the branch’s case management team highlights a commitment to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation within public institutions. This approach addresses specific user needs more effectively than off-the-shelf software.

Key Features and Functional Improvements

The CaseSearch system was developed based on user feedback and incorporates several enhancements to improve functionality and efficiency. The primary improvements include:

1. Enhanced Search Capabilities: The system offers more search types to help users locate specific cases with greater precision.
2. Advanced Filtering: Users can now apply advanced filters to search within case events, narrowing down results for more targeted information retrieval.
3. Expanded Financial Data: The platform provides more detailed financial information related to court cases.
4. Streamlined Interface: A modernized interface allows for more effective and efficient data extraction from the centralized case management system.

User Access, Verification, and Limitations

The system is designed for a wide range of users. For those requiring expanded access to case information, CaseSearch integrates the ID.me service for secure identity verification. While the platform broadens access to public case data and documents, certain limitations apply. Records not available through CaseSearch may still be accessible at public courthouse terminals. However, sealed cases and confidential records remain inaccessible through any public-facing system to protect privacy and legal integrity.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The article focuses on the launch of a new online system by the Kansas judicial branch to improve public access to court records. This initiative directly relates to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels, which is the core mission of SDG 16. The new “CaseSearch” system is a tool designed to strengthen the judicial institution by making it more transparent and accessible to the public.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s discussion of the new “CaseSearch” system, the following specific targets under SDG 16 can be identified:

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article states that the new system makes searching for court records “easier and more comprehensive.” By improving the ability of the public, attorneys, and researchers to access court information efficiently, the system helps ensure more equal access to the justice system’s records, which is a fundamental component of promoting the rule of law.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels. The launch of an upgraded system with “more search options, detailed information and improved functionality” demonstrates an effort to develop a more effective and transparent judicial institution. The article notes the system aims to help “attorneys, journalists, researchers and members of the public find court information more efficiently,” which enhances the accountability of the judiciary by making its proceedings more open to public scrutiny.
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements. This target is directly addressed. The entire purpose of the “CaseSearch” system is to provide a new online tool for public access to district court records. The article explicitly describes it as a replacement for the “Kansas District Court Public Access Portal,” signifying a direct action to ensure and improve public access to government-held information.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   The article does not mention official SDG indicators, but it implies several qualitative and quantitative measures that can be used to track progress:

   • Indicator for Targets 16.6 and 16.10: The existence and implementation of a public access to information tool. The launch of the “CaseSearch” system itself is a primary indicator. The article confirms its existence and notes that while the old portal is still active, it “will ultimately shut down,” making CaseSearch the sole portal. This represents a concrete step in providing access to information.
   • Indicator for Targets 16.3 and 16.10: The functionality and scope of the public access tool. The article implies progress by listing the system’s enhancements, which can be seen as qualitative indicators of improved access. These include:
     • “More search types to find specific cases”
     • “Advanced filters to search within case events”
     • “Expanded financial details for court cases”
     • A “streamlined interface that pulls data more effectively”
   • Indicator for Target 16.6: Institutional responsiveness to public needs. The article mentions that the upgraded system offers “improved functionality based on user feedback” and was developed in-house “to address specific user needs.” This responsiveness is an indicator of an institution’s effort to become more effective and accountable.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (Implied from the article)
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.3: Promote the rule of law … and ensure equal access to justice for all.	The provision of a “more comprehensive” and easier-to-use online system for accessing court records for all members of the public.
   	16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.	The development of a new system based on “user feedback” that provides “detailed information” and “expanded financial details” to the public, journalists, and researchers, thus increasing institutional transparency.
   	16.10: Ensure public access to information…	The launch and operation of the “CaseSearch” online tool, a specific platform designed to provide public access to district court records, featuring enhancements like “more search types” and “advanced filters.”

Source: kctv5.com