Daily Briefs . . .

31st District Court to sponsor Law Day art contest for 6th graders


The 31st District Court is sponsoring an art contest for area students in the sixth grade as part of Law Day 2015 celebrations.

The theme of the contest, Symbols of Freedom, encourages students to let their voices be heard as we as Americans continue to protect—and perfect—the rights and responsibilities of a diverse society under law.

Court and City Hall staff will have the opportunity to vote on the submissions, and the top three entries will be awarded a prize. The winning entries will be announced during a field trip to the Court on Friday, May 8, 2015 at 9:00am. 

Law Day is an annual nationwide event, designated by the U.S. Congress in 1961. Its purpose is to raise public awareness of American law and justice and their valuable impact on our lives. Bar Associations, civic groups, government officials, and educators all over America participate in Law Day activities the week preceding May 1 and during the month of May every year.


30th District Court now offering online resolution of minor traffic violations

 Taking time from work, school or other obligations to spend hours in a packed courtroom to deal with a traffic ticket can be frustrating. Highland Park residents can handle those tickets from the comfort of their own home, at their convenience with Court Innovations’ Matterhorn. Matterhorn is an online platform that enables defendants, police, prosecutors and judges to conveniently work towards resolving minor violations.

 “The 30th District Court was determined to make real progress in creating more efficiency and fairness within the system. The incredible volume of cases that go through the 30th District Court led to this need to find an alternative to the status quo,” said Judge Brigette Officer-Hill. “Currently those with civil infractions are getting an initial court date on average of 21 days; with Matterhorn, from date of ticket issuance through to closing of the ticket is averaging 6.1 days.”

 Matterhorn will walk individuals through a series of qualifying questions that determines whether they are eligible to resolve their violation online. If eligible, a litigant can submit their position online, which is then reviewed by staff at the prosecutors’ office or police agency. From there, a judge or magistrate determines next steps, including assessing fines that a litigant can pay online.

 “Based on the success that we’ve had with Matterhorn, we are excited to extend our online services to include warrants. Defendants are often afraid of being arrested, so they won’t come to court to take care of a warrant; Matterhorn offers the opportunity to have a warrant recalled without having to come to court at all,” said Judge Officer-Hill.

Those with misdemeanor warrants for a missed court date or outstanding fines in Highland Park will soon be able to request a resolution without the risk of being taken into custody. 
 If you have recently received a civil infraction violation in the City of Highland Park, and your ticket is not in default, then you may want to resolve the matter on-line, go to:  CourtInnovations.com/MID30 to see if you are eligible for an efficient and convenient resolution.

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