Oklahoma court records to go digital

Making public court records available online to the general public and legal professionals is becoming more and more important as more and more people go online to find out information. One state that has embraced this new reality is Oklahoma, where its court system is planning to transfer all court records online, while still keeping confidential materials out of the public's eye, The Associated Press reports. Putting all documents in an electronic format is expected to cost several millions and will be paid for using court fees from various districts around the state. According to Mike Evans, administrative director of the courts, the project will hopefully cost less than initial estimates. "The total budget for the project is projected to be around $27.4 million. I'm an optimist. I don't believe we're going to spend $27.4 million," Evans said. "What we have contracted to do at this point is to spend up to a little more than $13 million to AMCAD, the primary vendor for the project." Other court systems in the country have gone digital this year as well. The Williston Herald reports that the Williams County Clerk of Court's Office in North Dakota recently made all court documents available on the web.