Peer to Peer: ILTA's Quarterly Magazine
Issue link: https://epubs.iltanet.org/i/1415201
31 I L T A N E T . O R G When someone receives a citation, such as for speeding, the driver will have the choice of going to a physical court or to a website. Once they are on the website, they can input the citation number and other information. Then they have the choice to either pay the fine or start the online dispute resolution process. The ODR process works similarly to being in traffic court. The defendant will watch a video or read a statement that outlines their rights. Once they provide their electronic signature confirming understanding of their rights, they plead their case. The defendant can use the system to review the citation and any notes, collaborate with their attorney and communicate with court personnel. They can upload photos or additional documentation, offer a lower fine amount, suggest a payment plan or dispute the claim altogether. When the defendant is ready, the information is submitted to the system, and an alert is sent to the court solicitor. The solicitor logs into the system, and the dashboard will show their active cases. A notification will display which cases have new information or require their attention. In our example case, they will see that they need to review what the defendant has submitted and determine if they want to accept, change or reject the proposal. They can reply directly to the defendant, communicate with other parties or make a recommendation to the judge. Once the solicitor has completed their review and solidified the offer, a text message and/or email alert is sent back to the defendant. The defendant can log back into the system at their convenience to review the updates and potential new offer, and they have the opportunity to accept, change or reject it. There may be some back and forth between the solicitor and defendant, but when the proposal is final, it is sent to the judge or magistrate. The judge gets a notification that the case is ready for review and then can choose to accept, change or reject what was proposed. Once it is final and accepted by the judge, the defendant receives another alert regarding the case status. They sign their agreement to the resolution and pay any necessary fines – all within one platform. Each step can be done when it is most convenient for each person – whether it's 2:00 in the afternoon or in the morning. The process may take place over a few days or a few hours, but in total, it takes each person less time than if they had to appear in person. Even so, the defendant has the right at any time to halt the online resolution process, hire an attorney and schedule in-person proceedings. Selecting an ODR Platform Each court has different requirements, and each ODR works a little differently, so it's crucial to consider multiple aspects, including: • Integration: Ask ODR vendors about the steps involved to integrate case details and payment data with your current case management system, as well 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10