The Washington County courthouse, traditionally a place where paper ruled the day, now requires attorneys, government agencies and guardians ad litem to electronically file and serve documents in all court cases.
The county is one of 11 in Minnesota — all participating in a Minnesota judicial branch pilot program — that began mandatory electronic filings July 1. Testing began in those counties in 2012.
The goal of the eCourt MN initiative is to make the state's court system more accessible, efficient and convenient.
By the end of 2015, electronic filings will become voluntary in Minnesota's remaining 76 counties, and mandatory in those counties on July 1, 2016.
Pilot counties, in addition to Washington County, are Cass, Clay, Cook, Dakota, Faribault, Hennepin, Kandiyohi, Lake, Morrison and Ramsey.
Washington County courts are housed in the county government complex at 14949 62nd St. N. in Stillwater.
New central reporting created for adult abuse
People reporting maltreatment of vulnerable adults in Minnesota can now contact the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) at 1-844-880-1574. The single reporting system, replacing individual county services, took effect July 1.
The change does not affect mandatory reporter laws or definitions of maltreatment, Washington County officials said, but changes only how the report is made. MAARC will forward reports to counties where the maltreatment occurs, and counties then will assign cases to adult protection investigators.
