Category Archives: Transparency

Towards A Principles-Driven Approach to Algorithm-Based Decision-Making in the Justice System

Posted on May 1, 2017 by richardzorza

A very recent article by Adam Liptak in the New York Times draws attention to the actual practice in Wisconsin of using algorithm-driven predictions in sentencing, and to the pending attempt to otbain review of the practice by the US … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Criminal Law, Discrimination, Research and Evalation, Security, Technology, Transparency | 2 Comments

Integrating the ABA Futures Report and the Justice For All Components

Posted on August 14, 2016 by richardzorza

Its finally here, the ABA Future of Legal Services Report. As expected, it covers a lot of ground, and is a lot to read. As an aid to speedy integration into other projects, I have prepared this table that compares … Continue reading →

Posted in 100% Access Strategy and Campaign, ABA, Access to Counsel, Access to Justice Generally, Alternative Business Structures, Attorney-Client, Bar Associations, Court Fees and Costs, Court Management, Document Assembly, E-filing, Incnetives, Law Schools, Legal Aid, Legal Ethics, LEP, Mediation, Middle Income, Mixed Model, Non-Lawyer Practice, Outcome Measures, Plain Language, Planning, Referral Systems, Research and Evalation, Rules Reform, Self-Help Services, Simplification, Systematic Change, Technology, Transparency, Triage, Unbundling | 2 Comments

Thinking About a Single Quantitative Measure for Access to Justice

Posted on August 3, 2016 by richardzorza

Recent Guidance issued by the White House to all Federal agencies on the process for estimating environmental impact, as required by law, may well point the way for how to we think about access to justice indicators, as envisioned in … Continue reading →

Posted in 100% Access Strategy and Campaign, Access to Justice Generally, Planning, Series: Outcome Measures, Transparency, White House | 1 Comment

With Nate Silver’s Election Prediction Launch a Couple of Days Ago, Its a Good Time to Think About Statistics, Predictions, Triage, and Education for Public Policy

Posted on July 5, 2016 by richardzorza

Nate’s 2016 polls-only prediction is that Clinton has an 77.6% chance of winning. For those of us who talk about how triage is critical, his methodology page is well worth some attention. It is highly sophisticated, and reminds us just … Continue reading →

Posted in Budget Issues, Funding, Medical System Comparision, Metrics, Outcome Measures, Public Education, Research and Evalation, Series: Outcome Measures, Systematic Change, Technology, Transparency, Triage | 1 Comment

Towards a “Long Term Impact” Component for Triage Systems

Posted on March 31, 2016 by richardzorza

We have long recognized that triage systems designed for access maximization may have different algorithms for what to do with a case than those designed for poverty minimization, as those deployed by community-based advocacy organizations might choose to develop. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, Transparency, Triage | 1 Comment

Thoughts on the Medical Consent Process and Implications for the Relationship Between Courts, Legal Advocates and Clients

Posted on January 23, 2016 by richardzorza

Yesterday, I had a bone marrow biopsy, as part of my ongoing medical care dealing with bone marrow cancer.  That biopsy is not my favorite thing, but let me tell you, as often at Hopkins, you are reminded just what … Continue reading →

Posted in Attorney-Client, Criminal Law, Defender Programs, Judicial Ethics, Legal Ethics, Medical System Comparision, Personal, Public Defender, Transparency | 2 Comments

John Naughton In the Guardian Calls for Code of Ethics For Those Who Write Algorithms

Posted on December 7, 2015 by richardzorza

A fascinating article in the Guardian is of relevance to anyone who builds or uses technology in the justice system. After highlighting the range of decisions made by algorithms today, and their potential consequences, the writer, John Naughton, moves to … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Court Management, Metrics, Outcome Measures, Research and Evalation, Software Developers, Technology, Transparency, Triage | Comments Off on John Naughton In the Guardian Calls for Code of Ethics For Those Who Write Algorithms

The VW Scandal Tells Us That We Have to Find a Way to Make Software Transparent — Particularly for Courts

Posted on September 23, 2015 by richardzorza

The truly shocking VW emissions fraud should force us to think through how we can ensure the transparency that is needed in software.  The general issue is excellently summarize in this recent NYT article: “Intelligent public policy, as we all … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, Transparency, Triage | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

A Cautionary Tale — Cartoon Points Out the Downsides of Automated Courts

Posted on May 18, 2014 by richardzorza

The LA Times has a great cartoon on court automation that might give folks a kick. Accompanying a (presumably humorous) piece on the potential of court automation, the cartoon has four panels.  In one a person tries to fill in … Continue reading →

Posted in Systematic Change, Technology, Transparency | 2 Comments

Planning for the Professional, Client, Technology Triangle

Posted on January 18, 2014 by richardzorza

Two recent different news stories point out our need to think more about what we can do to optimize the triage between professional, client and technology.  As technology enters the medical consulting room and the legal advocates interview room, there … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, Transparency | 2 Comments

Guest Blogger Claudia Johnson on The Technology Future

Posted on November 9, 2012 by richardzorza

With the first LSC Technology and Access to Justice Summit completed, and the second in the planning phase, this blog’s guest blogger Claudia Johnson offers these general thoughts on directions for the future.

Posted in Guest Bloggers, LSC, Research and Evalation, Technology, Tools, Transparency, Triage | 3 Comments

The Terrifying Potential of the “E-Score” — And How to Turn it Inside Out

Posted on August 22, 2012 by richardzorza

Recently, the New York Times, had an article on the new trend to e-scores. Companies gather data on you, and make a calculation of your value as a customer.  As I have blogged before, and as the Times here notes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Technology, Transparency | 2 Comments

Nice Simple Triage Chart

Posted on June 4, 2012 by richardzorza

Monica Fennel, back in 2008, created this simple chart for people answering phones in Indiana. I thought it was worth sharing as a good example of clear thinking.  We are to note that it is no longer fully up to … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Generally, Transparency, Triage | Comments Off on Nice Simple Triage Chart

Setting Public Goals for Access Commissions: The Massachusetts Model

Posted on May 7, 2012 by richardzorza

Kudos to the Massachusetts ATJ Commission for publicly setting itself objectives that are both concrete and ambitious — and for assigning groups and individuals to be responsible for moving them forward.  I am particularly impressed that goals for working with … Continue reading →

Posted in Access to Justice Boards, Funding, Judicial Ethics, Legal Aid, Legal Ethics, Self-Help Services, Technology, Transparency | Comments Off on Setting Public Goals for Access Commissions: The Massachusetts Model

Massachusetts Supreme Court Upholds Video Streaming of Court Proceedings

Posted on March 21, 2012 by richardzorza

Here is the beginning of the Boston Globe story: The highest court in Massachusetts on Wednesday rejected challenges to a pilot project that continuously streams live, unedited court proceedings from one of the busiest courtrooms in the state. The “OpenCourt” … Continue reading →

Posted in Transparency | 1 Comment