Page 161 - CityofWataugaAdoptedBudgetFY24

Finance –

Municipal Court

Mission Statement

The mission of the Watauga Municipal Court is to provide fair
and impartial justice to all persons having business before the Court.

Department Overview

The City of Watauga Municipal Court manages the filing and disposition of all Class C Misdemeanor cases filed
by Police Officers, Code Officers, Animal Control Officers, and the Fire Marshal.
The goal of the Watauga Municipal Court is to serve all those who encounter the Court staff in a courteous
manner while helping them efficiently and effectively manage their cases. The goals are accomplished by
accurately processing and timely filing complaints, efficiently docketing cases, timely and courteous responding
to requests for information from both internal and external customers, and responsibility collecting and
accounting for all fines and court costs.

Highlights/Achievements for FY2023
• Updated all court forms and complaints to Word documents as required to use Tyler Output Processor
(TOP) and was the first phase of transitioning the court paperless court records storage from Laserfiche
to Tyler Content Management (TCM). With the help of IT staff Tyler troubleshooted issues with TCM and
TOPS to successfully complete the final implementation in the court offices as well as the courtroom.
• Streamlined the court check-in process by implementing the Tyler Municipal Justice 9 electronic docket
check-in feature. This allows both the Judge and court staff to immediately know which defendants have
check-in to a court session and in what order and what time they checked in and provides for efficiently
and effectively manage multiple court dockets per day.
• Implemented Snap Engage, which installed a live chat that will be answered by a member of the court
staff during normal business hours as well as a chat bot that can answer several questions when the
court is closed. This allows court customers an easier and more efficient manner to contact the court.
• Implemented text messaging reminders for answer dates, court dates, and payment plan due dates to
reduce failure to appears as well as failure to make scheduled payments.
• Implemented an Attorney Portal that allows attorneys to e-file documents to the Court.
• Received a 2023 Municipal Traffic Safety Award for our efforts to educate the community on the
importance of traffic safety.
• A warrant resolution campaign will be conducted in September of 2023, with the assistance of our
collection agency MVBA, to help customers manage their delinquent cases.

Goals/Objectives for FY2024

• Work with our current software provider to produce a hardware/software solution that would allow court
customers to complete self-check-in for a court docket.
• Transition all open electronic cases from Laserfiche to Tyler Content Management
• Transition all court documents to allow for electronic signing by defendants at the window and in the
courtroom.
• Continue to look for new and innovative ways to reach citizens and educate them on the importance of
traffic safety.
• Update all policies and procedures to reflect 2023 Legislative changes as well as any necessary updates
to fines or fees as required by Legislation.
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