Control: Intergov., Recreation & Cultural Affairs Cmte.
File Name: ELECTRONIC SUBPOENAS
Introduced: 10/11/2005
Requester:
NONE
Cost:
Final Action:
Agenda Date: 10/12/2005
Agenda Item Number:
Notes:
KGM
Title:
ELECTRONIC SUBPOENAS- JUDGE LEIFMAN
Indexes:
ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM
Sponsors:
Sally A. Heyman, Prime Sponsor
Sunset Provision:
No
Effective Date:
Expiration Date:
Registered Lobbyist:
None Listed
Legislative History
Acting Body
Date
Agenda Item
Action
Sent To
Due Date
Returned
Pass/Fail
Intergov., Recreation & Cultural Affairs Cmte.
10/12/2005
1E2
Presented
REPORT:
Assistant County Attorney Monica Maldonado read the title of the foregoing report into the record.
Associate Administrative Judge of County Courts Criminal Division, Honorable Steve Leifman, appeared and informed members that he was asked by Chief Judge Joseph P. Farina to Chair an Ad Hoc Committee on Electronic Subpoenas. He recognized members of his committee who were in attendance of today’s meeting and he provided an overview of the electronic subpoena process.
Chairwoman Heyman explained why the foregoing report was on today’s agenda and noted that after Article V was passed two years ago, the County had actively pursued measures to absorb those state judicial obligations that were transferred to County jurisdiction and to maintain the financial integrity of the justice system.
Judge Leifman further explained how the system worked and the benefits the electronic subpoena would provide. He stated this system would benefit the County financially in cost savings by reducing overtime for officers who are required to appear in court and allowing those officers to report back to patrol duty sooner. Judge Leifman noted the original cost of this project was $600,000, however, in exchange for permitting the vendor to advertise at the International Police Chiefs’ meeting, the cost was reduced by 50% or $300,000. He advised that a decision to implement the system needed to be made in the near future. Judge Leifman noted that local police chiefs and County police chiefs were supportive of this system. He stated that the Dallas police Department had listed a savings of over $1 million in overtime costs in the first year as a result of utilizing this system.
Commissioner Seijas spoke in support of the electronic subpoena system.
In response to Commissioner Gimenez’ inquiry regarding job reduction, Assistant County Manager Susan Torriente stated research was being conducted to determine how staff could be absorbed into other County departments.
Commissioner Gimenez asked that the County Manager provide Committee members with a report identifying the number of people currently processing subpoenas and of those, the number working for other municipalities. He asked that members be provided a copy of the electronic subpoena system’s implementation plan detailing its impact on people currently performing this service.
Commissioners Heyman asked that the County Manager conduct a feasibility study on the electronic subpoena system’s impact on manpower, positions, and overtime within the judicial system and provide a report at the next meeting.
Hearing no further questions or comments, the Committee accepted the foregoing report as presented.
County Manager
10/11/2005
Additions
Intergov., Recreation & Cultural Affairs Cmte.
10/12/2005
Legislative Text
There is no text currently available online for this item.
