Court Date Reminder System

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2018

Durham County noticed a disproportionate amount of people were missing their court dates within the Durham County Justice System. When defendants do not show up, it causes lost time within the court system and extra time spent on administrative duties. This results in additional costs tied to taxpayer money and resources because of inefficiencies. For the defendants, many end up having to serve jail time simply for failing to appear, even if missing their court date was accidental because they did not remember. In fact, 10% of Durham County jail occupants were being held because of failing to appear. This innovation is a court date reminder system aimed to improve court associated efficiencies by helping citizens remember to show up for their court dates. Citizens can visit http://courtreminders.dconc.gov from a computer or smartphone and search by name, DOB, and case number. After locating the case, reminders can be signed up to be received through an automated phone call, text message, and Email. Three days before the scheduled court appearance and the day before, a reminder is sent by the selected method(s). Since the system's launch in June 2017, there have been 3,000 sign ups and approximately 25,000 reminders sent out (Reminders could include up to 6 per person if signed up for notification for phone, text and email reminder and because each court date receives two reminders 3 days ahead and night before).