Wireless Technology and Access to Justice

1. Wireless TechnologyandAccess to Justice By Jessica Hill

2. “People lack many things: jobs, shelter, food, Health care and drinkable water. Today, being cut off from basic telecommunications services is a hardship almost as acute as these other deprivations, and may indeed reduce the chances of finding remedies to them.” Kofi Anan, Secretary General

3. Wireless Technologies • Cellular phones • Notebook Computers • Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) • Handheld computers allowing instant access to phone #s, addresses, appointments, email, Web browsing • Can synchronize with desktop computer to update information instantly • Range in cost from $100 to $1000.

4. Wireless Technology (continued) • BlackBerries • Handheld device enables user to receive email via the server at his workplace • Server automatically forwards emails to handheld device, user receives notification, can then view email and reply

5. Advantages • Most of the advantages are for advocates, indirectly for clients • Advocate can work more efficiently • Advocate can be more readily available to clients • Advocates can work more collaboratively with other advocates, organizations, social services

6. Technology Adoption Life Cycle • Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore • Develops and discusses market development patterns in technology-based markets • Groups market into five groups

7. Five Groups • Innovators • Techies – will try anything • Early Adopters • Want to get ahead of herd • Early Majority • Pragmatists – want to stick with the herd • Late Majority • Conservatives • Laggards • Skeptics

9. To gain mass market success, the pragmatists MUST adopt the technology. • The gap between the early adopters and the pragmatists is where the technology will either catch on or fail.

11. The Digital Divide • Factors • Ethnicity • Those who have access to internet • National Average – 41% • African-Americans & Hispanics – 23% • Income • 78% of households making more than $75,000 have internet access at home • 38% of households making between $25,000 and $30,000 have access at home • 25% of households making less than $25,000 have access at home

12. Factors (continued) • Education Level • Age • Location • Literacy • Language

13. The Digital Divide (continued) • Physical access alone as a solution is not enough, other barriers exist • Differences in knowledge and computer skills • Differences in attitude towards using computers • Inadequate online content available for needs of low-income citizens

14. The Digital Divide (continued) • Must ensure that each person has meaningful access to the internet and new communications technologies • Must create useful content on the internet, material and applications that serve the needs of low-income users • Local information about their communities • Information about employment, education • Information understandable for those with limited literacy skills, information in multiple languages, culturally appropriate content

15. How can Wireless Technology help the typical Self-Represented Litigant? • Digital Courthouse • CourtNet – set of applications and physical devices inside court building, between courts within each state, and with the internet

16. Access to Justice Project • A few CourtNet system components: • Interactive Translator – software tool able to translate verbal and text-based information into different languages • General Info – explains about the court system in general • Archetype Finder – system of questions that guides litigant to his/her archetype (categorization based on type of case)

17. System Components (continued) • Pursuit Elevator – allows litigant to evaluate whether pursuing a case will be worth time, money, and effort. Runs best/average/worst case scenarios • Complaint Formulator – assembles data into various formats based on litigant’s answers to questions • Court Navigator – portable device that provides guidance within court building. Especially useful for non-native speakers and disabled

18. System Components (continued) • Legal Seat – kiosks or courtroom seats, delivers educational and logistical information to litigants • Community Connections – online networking system linking courts with community organizations, advocacy groups, social service agencies, park districts, neighborhood groups, churches, etc.

19. The End.