Denton, Texas, Oct. 16, 2023 – Over the last several years, the City of Denton Municipal Court, lead by Judge C. Tyler Atkinson, has strived to be a technology-centric court that removes barriers to improve the case resolution experience. As a result of their efforts, the Court’s Online Resolution System was recently awarded the top prize in the User Experience (UX) Court Capers Challenge from the National Center for State Courts.
The Municipal Court’s new web portal, which was developed with the help a local tech company, provides users with 24/7 access to their case information and outcome options and allows them to resolve their citation through a text message link with just a few clicks. The system also sends “just in time” text and email notifications to remind users of upcoming court hearings and due dates.
“This technology is new to the court system,” said Judge Atkinson. “But I believe it is what is expected by court users in our increasingly digital world.”
To utilize the online system, those who provide the citing officer with a valid cell phone number will receive a text message inviting them to interact with the platform. From there, the respondent can learn about their rights, access information, and make a request from the available options that is sent directly to Judge Atkinson for approval. If desired by the respondent, the system allows for most cases to be resolved without the need to appear in court or speak to court staff. For payment plans, the platform also sends payment reminders.