Opinion ID: 1788578
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Computerization

Text: Under Chapter 27 of the Florida Statutes the counties have the responsibility of furnishing the physical quarters for the Public Defenders. Counties may also furnish office equipment such as computers. The Tenth Circuit presently has computers purchased through its state budget available to all appellate attorneys who desire them. Even though available, certain attorneys choose to dictate or write their briefs by hand. Other attorneys do all of their drafting on a computer and the attorneys who are completely computer literate were of the view that total computer use is the fastest system. Computer literacy also enables an attorney to maintain a private brief bank. The computers in the trial and appellate divisions use different software and this is a disadvantage. None of the computers are networked and the absence of networking reduces efficiency. Generally, computerization, networking, computer literacy, and the simple ability to type increases the efficiency of the lawyer. On the other hand, some of the lawyers who are in fact the most productive appellate specialists still retain old work habits and continue to write or dictate their briefs. In the final analysis, the work habits of the individual attorneys will dictate their ability to use computers.