When the courts transitioned to the e-filing system, it meant more convenience for attorneys and paralegals submitting documents. No need to always run down to the courthouse when paperwork could simply be filed online.
It’s become a popular service.
In April, the Duval County Clerk of Courts hit the 1 million transaction mark in its fourth year.
The effort to transition from paper files to the more efficient electronic format was mandated by the Florida Legislature back in 2008. The Florida Supreme Court set up standards in July 2009 and the following years had clerks’ offices from around the state beginning the transition.
Probate, mental health and guardianship cases were accepted in 2011, with circuit civil cases a year later. In March 2013, criminal cases were integrated.
Since coming online, the service has gained traction. After just 28,209 transactions in 2012, it jumped to 339,631 in 2013. Last year brought even more, with 493,633 transactions. And the 173,810 through April pushed the overall figure into seven digits.
One transaction can have multiple documents, though. For example, the almost 174,000 this year actually has meant close to 273,000 different documents.
“We thought in the beginning that it might be more cumbersome,” Jackie Hendry, a paralegal assistant for attorney Fred Elefant, said in a news release. “Now, it’s gotten our filings to a point that is much more streamlined.”
Efficiency of filing online benefits users, but also frees up court staff to more timely serve customers in other areas, said Derek Igou, the clerk’s chief operations officer.
The Legislature mandated the practice partly to save the state money, although Igou said savings at the Duval office were not immediately available, but process servers are able to service summons within two business days now instead of a week.
For information about the e-filing system, visit duvalclerk.com/einfo/default.aspx.
The clerk’s office offers hands-on training for electronic case filings from noon-2 p.m. on some Wednesdays throughout the month on the fifth floor of the Duval County Courthouse. The next class is May 13.
(904) 356-2466