There is Promise of Standardized Court Data in the USA

As courts face increasing demands for data, the National Open Court Data Standards (NODS) are improving data quality and governance nationwide.

Over the past five years, NCSC has worked to implement the National Open Court Data Standards (NODS) to establish business and technical standards to facilitate the sharing of standardized case-level data. The standards are intended to make data more accessible, understandable, and useful for the public, researchers, and justice system stakeholders.

 

NODS is currently being adopted by at least 16 courts across multiple states, and an evaluation of the implementation shows great promise in helping courts ensure consistency and reduce the cost and effort required to respond to data requests.

 

“Our evaluation of NODS implementation found that courts are already seeing results,” said NCSC Senior Court Research Associate Andrew Ranson. “Even more benefits are expected as implementation matures in the years to come.”

 

Survey responses from 106 court professionals across 40 states, one territory, and the District of Columbia, informed the evaluation of the NODS implementation. Nearly 79% of respondents from implementing courts reported using NODS to establish data standards. More than half created a case-level data repository, and 57% reported improved data governance.

 

An unexpected benefit

Courts also reported an unexpected benefit: the mapping process, which connects data elements in their case management system to NODS elements and values, surfaced data quality problems they didn't know they had. Sixty percent of respondents said their court began collecting new data elements as a result.

 

“NODS is not a solution to a case management issue or a solution to an IT issue, or even a data collection solution,” said Missouri Chief Justice W. Brent Powell. “Rather, it is a process — an opportunity to engage in a mapping exercise. NODS provides a guide to map and study what data our courts are collecting.”

 

What we heard

NCSC found that support from executive leaders like Chief Justice Powell is one of four factors influencing successful NODS implementation. Additional factors include dedicated staff, a NODS champion, and adequate financial resources.

 

“After conducting a thoughtful examination of the case data our courts collect, we were better able to measure the successes and deficiencies of our court procedures and improve the administration of justice in our state,” Chief Justice Powell added.

 

Learn more
Supported by the Conference of State Court Administrators (COSCA) and the State Justice Institute, NODS has been endorsed by COSCA, the National Association for Court Management (NACM), and the Joint Technology Committee (JTC).

 

https://news.ncsc.org/c/AQjLzRUQleM2GKP67owBINTRyw0osqbIFb3IVWcTtirJMgpjH70BUaa7pikeVRjgvsGp1SVwAlb4

Read the full National Open Court Data Standards Implementation Project Evaluation Report.