Justices visit Cd'A, discuss changes

COEUR d'ALENE - Idaho Supreme Court Justice Joel Horton is using the court's trip to Coeur d'Alene to hear several civil cases and inform local attorneys about the state's recent judicial system investments.

Horton met with local attorneys Tuesday night to discuss two topics that will impact every level of the state's court system. One of the topics is an upcoming technology roll-out, funded by the state, which will provide easier access to more data to not only every agency involved in the judicial process, but the public as well.

"It will give the public a better way to interface with the court system, as well as give judges access to enough data to come to a decision based on an individual's merits," Horton said. "It also makes life easier for lawyers, and ultimately ensuring you get just results."

Comparing the current system to Windows XP, Horton said it had "reached the end of its life" and added that an "enormous" amount of time had been spent on the new technology.

"It's an exciting time for us," Horton said. "We definitely needed this new system."

Horton said he will also be discussing the state's Justice Reinvestment Act, which was passed during the last legislative session. Among other things, the bill passing means an additional $2.3 million in funding to strengthen parole supervision.

According to Horton, the increase in parole supervision will decrease prisoner recidivism.

"So often a judge really has no other alternative but to place folks in prison for the purposes of receiving programming," Horton said. "This bill gives folks the opportunity to receive support and treatment in the community."

The passing of the bill, according to Horton, will save the state an estimated $250 million and give judges more opportunities to use the parole system.