For example, the courts are mandated by the Legislature to compile all family proceedings involving an individual, but are also charged with protecting the privacy of that information. Further adding to the debate, is the increasingly sophisticated and specific nature of information gathered by the courts. The JISC is currently working on a revised policy to balance the privacy of individuals, the courts' need to conduct business openly, and the public's right to know how the courts do their jobs. Under development throughout 1999, the annual Caseloads of the Courts of Washington debuted online in May of 2000. The fully automated report includes information unavailable before.
Users can easily compile their own customized reports, using specific data tables they select.
The html format offers quick and easy access to specific statistical tables. The pdf format allows users to print multiple tables as a single report, using free Adobe Acrobat software. In addition to more comprehensive and timely data, the move is expected to provide substantial savings on printing costs and staff data-entry time. While the online format offers many advantages, the traditional report, with all the familiar tables, continues to be offered, online and printable.