Minnesota Courts to go Paperless

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - A new initiative will move Minnesota courts from paper files to the electronic age.

The Minnesota Judicial Council is requiring all courts to eventually go paperless. In Olmsted County District Court administrator Chuck Kjos says the office will run out of floor space for files in about six to eight months. The eCourtMN Initiative could take 5 years or more to implement.

Kjos says the number one concern is keeping a high level of security with court documents, once paperless. Court Administrator Sue Dosal says the project is the most comprehensive reengineering effort yet undertaken by the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

Eventually, documents could be available in the courtroom through a computer that's called "Session Works."

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