Richland County Fifth Circuit Solicitor's Office Smart Prosecution - Innovative Prosecution Solutions

For long-term case management and court system efficiency, the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which encompasses Richland and Kershaw Counties, proposes to replace its case management system to allow for increased efficiency and efficacy when managing, retrieving and presenting case evidence.  Our current case management system has reached its maximum data capacity; and the office is in need of a new, modern case management system.  Studies have shown that strong data practices are tied to improved prosecutorial offices. A system that ensures more meaningful, accurate, and accessible data allows prosecutors to make informed decisions and orient their discretion and resources accordingly.

New, modern case management systems are directly integrated with a number of commonly used programs. For instance, one system’s document generation uses Microsoft Word, allowing intuitive in-system editing of documents, such as subpoenas, witness documents and victim letters. These direct integrations will create a more efficient procedure, automating a number of tasks currently manually performed by attorneys and clerical staff and permitting tasks often performed outside of the case management system to be completed within it.

The goal of the proposed project is to expand performance, data storage capacity and increase the existing file system.  A new, modern case management system will allow this office to reduce caseloads, improve data security, performance, and operation of this office and our courtrooms, making case preparation and court hearings operate more effectively and efficiently and hopefully result in a reduction in violent and other crime. 

This grant application includes the production of the required deliverables.  First, during the life of the grant, we will implement a project through the purchase of a new, modern case management system that modernizes the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office and as a result, improves the Fifth Circuit’s ability to effectively and sustainably prevent and respond to crime in Richland and Kershaw Counties.  Second, we will write policies and procedures that demonstrate operational changes that will occur as a result of the project.

We are requesting $340,000.00 for a new case management system which will be supplemented with funds from the Fifth Circuit. The total cost to purchase a system is estimated at $500,000.00.