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Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Ind. Decisions - Chief Judge Baker on: OK, where are these opinions?
Earlier this afternoon the ILB noted that no COA opinions have been posted online since last Friday, although apparently opinions have been issued, as two press stories quoting opinions have appeared.
A few minutes ago, the ILB spoke with Chief Judge John Baker about the problem. Judge Baker said the Court of Appeals has indeed issued many opinions since last Friday, none of which, unfortunately, have yet been posted to the Internet. But, he continued, the problem is much larger than just the failure to post opinions.
The Clerk's Office, Judge Baker said, has been and continues to be many weeks behind in opening and processing paperwork of all kinds.
Part of the problem can be attributed to the fact that the work load of the Court of Appeals continues to increase; over 2,509 cases in 2006 jumped to 2,868 in 2007. And filings, according to the Judge, are up even more.
Judge Baker said he has expressed his concerns to Kevin S. Smith, Clerk of the Indiana Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Tax Court, and Judge Baker said he could report that personnel are being added help alleviate the problems. Because there is no more room in the Office, the added employees are being put on a half shift, working when the other employees are gone.
The good news, says Judge Baker, is that according to Clerk Smith, everything should be caught up by mid-February.
A report from the Indiana Lawyer this afternoon puts the blame on the State's internet provider:
"We regret this is happening, but it's a hazard of technology," said Indiana Supreme Court Administrator and Appellate Clerk Kevin Smith. "You'll have to do what you did before the Internet: travel to Indianapolis to look at them."
Posted by Marcia Oddi on January 23, 2008 03:48 PM
Posted to Ind. App.Ct. Decisions