Linda Doggett of the Lee County Clerk's Office announced last week that all civil cases can now be electronically filed.
"This will save hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs", said Doggett.
Under state mandate all civil court cases will have to be electronically filed (eFiling) by April 1, 2013, and Lee County is just waiting for completion of the criminal portion to be completed before all cases will be eFiled.
EFiling almost completely reduces the need for scanning court documents and manual docketing. The corresponding effort to use electronic files in the court room is being phased in along with eFiling and will eliminate paper case files altogether.
Doggett estimates the savings, when both projects are completed, will total close to $800,000.
Training for attorneys will get under way in September. This effort is the coordinated product of the Lee County Clerk's Office, the judges of the 20th Judicial Circuit, the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Court Clerks and Comptrollers Association.
Below are links to information that will provide attorneys and the public with a more detailed understanding of the eFiling process, and the Florida Supreme Court's requirements:
eFiling video: www.youtube.com Florida Courts eFiling Portal Promo
Florida eFiling Authority: www.flclerks.com - eFiling
Lee Clerk's website: www.leeclerk.org
