In December 2022, CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Programs) released a feature that allows eFilers to more easily submit electronic document exhibits to the court through the eFiling system. In addition, clerks of circuit court, juvenile clerks, and registers in probate can more easily manage exhibits electronically.
The idea for this enhancement originated during the COVID-19 pandemic when the majority of court hearings were held remotely. While remote proceedings had many advantages, judges, clerks, attorneys, and litigants all reported it was difficult to hold remote hearings in cases involving a large number of exhibits. This was a challenge because the case management system was not equipped to manage a large number of electronically-filed exhibits in an efficient manner. The temporary solution was for attorneys and litigants to pre-file exhibits electronically, which meant all exhibits appeared in the court record, regardless of whether they were actually used in court.
The new electronic exhibits software allows attorneys and litigants to pre-file exhibits electronically, but the exhibits are not added to the court record until they are actually offered during a hearing or trial. This feature will allow court staff to maintain a more orderly and accurate court record because unused exhibits will not appear in the case. In addition, this new feature will allow court staff to apply an electronic sticker, designate exhibits as Offered, Denied, and Received, and transfer electronically filed exhibits into the court record without the need to print, mark, and re-scan the documents.
Important Considerations for eFilers Using the Electronic Exhibits Software:
- eFilers are not required to submit exhibits to the court electronically using this new feature, unless the judge orders an attorney to pre-file exhibits. This feature is simply intended to provide an option that removes the need for attorneys to bring paper exhibits to court, and will be especially useful for remote proceedings.
- Exhibits can only be filed electronically in cases with scheduled court activities. eFiled exhibits will appear for attorneys and litigants on the “My Cases” page via the “View Exhibits” link on the eFiling site instead of being directly added to the court record prior to the scheduled activity.
- This feature should only be used to file documents that will be presented as exhibits to the court during a hearing or trial. It should not be used to file attachments to motions or other pleadings that are intended to support the underlying filing. Those types of documents should continue to be filed along with the motion or pleading and not as a separate exhibit.
More detailed information for eFilers on the electronic exhibits feature can be found on the Circuit Court eFiling website.
More detailed information for court staff on the electronic exhibits feature can be found in the CCAP Release Notes for Software Release 22.1.16 on CourtNet.
Return to issue homeThird Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov