Digital Courthouse & Courtroom
The court is making expansive investments in faster, more accessible, secure and integrated systems for court users. This includes advancements such as eFiling, ePayment, and electronic document storage. These investments will help nearly all court functions shift to efficient, paperless processes along with the supports necessary, including digital security.
Current digital transformation projects underway include:
- Wi-Fi and Next Generation Networking
- Digital Signage
- MassCourts & Digital Optimization
Wi-Fi and Next Generation Networking
Wi-Fi installation in courthouses is an essential component of the court’s digital transformation. The IT department is enabling Wi-Fi capability at courthouses across the state, together with next generation networking technology to increase performance and network capacity. This will address the challenges posed by network congestion and interruptions that can significantly impact courtroom proceedings.
Wi-Fi connectivity enables the mobility of judges, court staff, and visitors with seamless connectivity and productivity. Wi-Fi also enables court visitors to retrieve electronic files, conduct legal research, and obtain case-related information conveniently.
Next Generation Networking technology has been implemented in all courthouses during FY24. This technology increases network capacity thirtyfold and reduces annual outages.
As of February 2025, 90 courthouses have been equipped with Wi-Fi, providing access to important information and resources to over 33,000 visitors each month. All courthouses will be Wi-Fi enabled by summer 2025. Visit your local courthouse page on mass.gov and look for the Wi-Fi icon to see if your courthouse has Wi-Fi enabled or visit the page Courthouses with Wi-Fi.
Digital Signage
Today, courtrooms and court schedules are difficult to locate, especially in our large, multilevel court facilities. Digital signage will help court users easily find what they need: a map of the court, daily cases on the docket, and directions to different courts offices and departments. Digital signage also allows court user and litigant information to be displayed in multiple languages.
In FY25, Trial Court launched a digital signage at the Chelsea Trial Court that will extend to all courthouses over the next 3 years.
MassCourts & Digital Optimization
The Trial Court is modernizing and optimizing the MassCourts case management system. These enhancements focus on increasing efficiency and usability, while accommodating the growing volume of electronically filed documents, ensuring scalability for a full digital court environment.
Several ongoing projects aim to enhance electronic access for court users. These include a pilot for online dispute resolution, an electronic search warrant pilot, and guided interviews to simplify the completion and filing of court forms.
Modern & Secure Judiciary
Court users, including the public, judges, probation, and staff, expect up-to-date security systems. Funding authorized by the Bond Bill will update systems, add cameras, centralize monitoring, and improve duress systems and in-building communication. These improvements will allow Security staff to monitor day-to-day court activity and improve threat handling abilities and reaction time.
As the Judiciary shifts to a digital environment, the safeguarding of sensitive court information is also a critical concern. The Trial Court is establishing an information security program, including digital security protocols, to minimize the risk posed by malicious cybersecurity threats to the Judiciary.
Current security projects include:
Physical Security: Electronic Security System
The Trial Court has begun to modernize the core electronic security systems across all court locations to ensure the safety of court users, including the public, judges, probation, and staff.
Upgrades include adding cameras, centralized monitoring, and improved duress systems and in-building communication to help staff more efficiently monitor court activity and improve threat handling capability. By FY25, 20 courthouses are expected to be equipped with advanced security tools to enhance monitoring, response times, and overall safety.
Enhanced Digital Security
As the Judiciary moves to a digital court environment, safeguarding sensitive court information is an increasing priority. The court uses tools from an industry-leading security vendor to provide education, training, and phishing simulation to prepare judges and staff to defend against cyber threats. The first mandatory cybersecurity training for all judges and employees took place in FY23 and is a yearly requirement.
Operations Excellence
While much attention has been given to innovation in the courtroom, improved administrative functions will help the courts run more efficiently. The Trial Court is working to increase bandwidth across the court system, implement voice over IP (VoIP) phone systems, modernize data centers, and energy management systems.
Current operations projects include:
Voice over IP (VoIP) Phone System
The Trial Court is migrating all phone systems to VoIP to improve efficiency and ease of use. The project is 95% complete with 5 final courthouses scheduled to transition by the end of FY25.
Desktop Modernization
The Trial Court is undergoing a comprehensive desktop modernization project to improve the technology infrastructure and ensure that judges and staff have the technology to meet their job responsibilities efficiently and effectively. This includes replacing outdated equipment, such as laptops, desktops, docking stations, dual monitors, cameras, and headsets. As of February 2025, 102 court locations have been upgraded with over 8,500 pieces of equipment distributed.
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| Last updated: | May 15, 2025 |
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