Peoria County judges to test computers in court

PEORIA — Peoria County is moving one step closer to a paperless courtroom as judges test the new $7 million upgrade to the court records system.

The Journal Star in Peoria reports (http://bit.ly/19YzwEt ) that judges in four courtrooms will have 26-inch touchscreen computers on their benches. The courtroom attorneys' tables also will have desktop computers.

The county is preparing to install technology that will link the courtroom computers to the clerk's office, probation officers, the prosecutor's office and the sheriff's office. The upgrade replaces a slow, outdated computer system.

Chief Peoria County Judge Michael Brandt says the new system will be more efficient for judges and will cut down on problems such as missing paper files and waiting for files to be brought to the courtroom.