Courts that use the Odyssey case management system went to work on Monday, April 19 to find the software chock full of new features, many of which were requested by Court and Clerk users. Since the system was initially implemented in December 2007, JTAC and Tyler Technologies have deployed several updates to the Odyssey software. These updates, which you might hear us call “new releases,” include new functionality in all areas of the application including reporting, new bulk processing features, and calendaring. Since Odyssey is used in several other Court systems throughout the country, Indiana has the advantage of using new features built by others. Changes to Odyssey in the latest release include:
Chronological Case Summary (CCS). The CCS displayed in Odyssey will have a larger text size and the case caption information will display on all pages. Both of these changes will increase the readability of the CCS. Additional information not previously displayed on the CCS will now appear, including speed amounts, hearing comments, split bond information, and information added on the SERVICE TAB. The SERVICE TAB information will be helpful in complex litigation cases where numerous parties and documents are being served.
Party Records. JTAC now has the ability to lock party records. Odyssey is a party based system. If a person has multiple cases in multiple counties, all cases will be associated to that person’s party record. For example, the State of Indiana record has been locked so it cannot be changed by any Odyssey user. To request that a record be locked, contact the JTAC Help Desk at [email protected] or 1-888-ASK-JTAC.
Event Tab. The Event Tab in case manager is the tab that is used to enter all the events that occur in each case. It has been updated to allow users to sort and filter the table of events. Tyler Technologies built this functionality to use in complex cases for the courts in Las Vegas, and it is now available to Indiana courts.
Quarterly Case Status Report (QCSR). Two changes have been made to reduce the need for manual entries. Previously, when a court received a case venued from another county it included the designation NEW FILING EVENT, which would have to be manually deleted. Now, users simply add the VENUED IN EVENT, and the NEW FILING EVENT will be automatically deleted. And, if a case is created in error, users can add a CASE CREATED IN ERROR EVENT (CCIE), and the case will not be counted on the QCSR report.
Reports. Several new reports are now available in the CASE MANAGEMENT, COURT ADMINISTRATION, and FINANCIAL ACTIVITY section of the application. These reports were not created by Indiana, but Tyler made them available for our use. Examples of new reports include CALENDAR SUMMARY reporting, ATTORNEY CASE reporting, and TRUST reports.
Another feature, Calendar Sync—coming soon to users around the state—is currently being piloted by Judge William J. Hughes, Hamilton County Superior Court #3 and Judge Paul A. Felix, Hamilton County Circuit Court. Calendar Sync allows users to create a connection between the docket in Odyssey and the Microsoft Outlook calendar on their personal computers. Once that connection is made, it’s then possible to access basic information about scheduled hearings and trials from a handheld device or smart phone, like a Blackberry. JTAC staff members are working to iron out the kinks with feedback from Judge Hughes and Judge Felix so this feature will be ready soon to roll out to additional users.
Traffic Processes. Odyssey now removes all financial assessments against a defendant when all charges are dismissed in a case. In addition, a Court or Clerk may request two additional features:
- When a deferral case has been paid in full, Odyssey will automatically add the statistical closure and change the case status.
- When a traffic case has been paid in full, Odyssey will automatically add a statistical closure of VIOLATIONS BUREAU, DISPOSITION OF ADMISSION and change the case status.
JTAC will be working with judges and clerks in the coming weeks to implement these new features.
