Public defender to pilot JusticeText discovery-review software under grant funding

Cumberland County commissioners on July 23 approved a one-year, grant-funded contract of $17,300 for JusticeText discovery-review software for the public defender’s office.

Michael Hauptis (identified in the meeting as the public defender’s representative) described JusticeText as a cloud-based discovery and review platform that processes video evidence so attorneys can locate relevant segments more quickly. "It helps break down and identify areas that the attorney should be looking at, hopefully saving time for attorneys and processing cases a little bit faster," he said. The software will be funded entirely from an Indigent Defense grant.

Commissioners asked whether the product is available to prosecution offices; Hauptis said the vendor the office selected provides services for public defenders and the county had contracted for a one-year pilot at the stated price. The motion to approve the purchase passed unanimously.

County officials said the software is aimed at reducing attorney workload for voluminous video discovery and speeding case review; the contract is limited to one year under current grant terms.