New technology for Cook County public defender

A $2.3 million case management system that promises greater efficiencies has been approved for the Cook County public defender's office, a news release said Monday. The $2.3 million purchase was approved by the Cook County Board this week.

"We want to make sure assistant public defenders can effectively manage their case loads as well as ensure that case information is stored electronically in a secured environment," said Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle.

The new system, by Journal Technologies, will work on desktops, laptops, tablets and mobile devices, and is used nationwide by more than 400 governmental agencies. Cook County Public Defender Amy Campanelli said it will automate a number of processes, reduce or get rid of many inefficient paper-based processes and eliminate redundant data entry.

"The bottom line is that the system will help us be better prepared to represent our clients in court," she said.