Helping People Fill Out Court Forms - Court Services Consortium

Summary

The video discusses efforts by the New Mexico Judiciary to make the court system more accessible through multilingual forms, translation services, screener services to assist people in filling out forms, and AI kiosks. It covers common barriers faced like literacy and disabilities, and solutions like bilingual staff, volunteers, standardized training materials, informational videos and brochures. Details are provided on past scribing pilots allowing court staff to help users complete forms. The AI kiosk 'Clara' uses natural language processing to answer user questions on forms, maps, directories, etc. Expansion plans aim to enhance access to justice by extending services to libraries and domestic violence centers.

Takeaways

• 😊 Multilingual forms and translation services facilitate participation for non-English speakers
• 😮 Scribing services help people with disabilities, literacy issues, or lack of technology access complete forms
• 📝 Court staff are trained and certified to provide language access services outside the courtroom
• 🔍 Needs assessments identify areas of greatest need to target services and resources
• 📹 Explainer videos and public service announcements spread awareness about services
• 😀 Pilot courts demonstrated demand and impact on domestic violence and juror participation
• 💡Standardized training and community partnerships expanded services statewide
• 🤖 Clara the AI avatar provides interactive help via speech and touchscreens
• 🔎 Clara helps users find forms, maps, directories and case information
• 👩‍💻 Telepresence allows users to connect remotely to live assistance

Q & A

What are some common barriers faced by self-represented litigants in New Mexico?

Common barriers include lack of familiarity with court processes and legal language, limited English proficiency, disabilities (such as blindness, low vision, colorblindness, hearing impairments, cognitive impairments, and motor disabilities), low literacy, and the digital divide.

What languages are the multilingual forms and services provided in, besides English?

The forms and services are provided in Spanish, Navajo, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Oregano.

What is the purpose of bilingual forms in the court system?

Bilingual forms facilitate communication between parties with different language proficiencies, ensuring that both English speakers and those with limited English proficiency (LEP) are on equal footing, which ensures full participation and access to forms and documents.

What is scribing, and who benefits from it?

Scribing is a service where a trained individual, such as court staff or a volunteer, reads a form out loud to a person and writes down the court user's answers. It benefits individuals with limited English proficiency, low literacy, disabilities, and those with limited access to the internet or a computer.

How does the process for requesting scribing services typically work?

A person fills out a statement of need with court staff to identify their need and possibly schedule an appointment. Staff then assesses the individual's barriers, such as language or literacy, and may bring in an interpreter or a volunteer to facilitate communication and complete the forms.

What are the priority areas identified for scribing services?

Priority areas include potential jurors unable to access the jury questionnaire due to lack of computer or internet access, and individuals with limited English proficiency or disabilities in domestic violence and domestic relations cases.

What is Clara, and what services does she provide?

Clara is an AI avatar on a kiosk that uses natural language processing to assist users with court-related questions, such as directions within the courthouse, accessing forms, and understanding court processes. She can provide information in English, Spanish, and Navajo.

How does Clara's AI kiosk improve access to court services?

Clara's AI kiosk improves access by providing users with the ability to ask questions in natural language and receive information on court processes, forms, and directions within the courthouse, making court services more accessible to people with various needs.

What is the future goal for Clara's voice recognition capabilities?

The goal is to enable Clara to perform voice recognition in Spanish, in addition to speaking Spanish, as part of enhancing the AI's capabilities to better serve bilingual users.

How does the New Mexico Judiciary plan to expand the scribing and Clara kiosk services?

The New Mexico Judiciary plans to work with interested courts and community partners, considering budget impacts, to expand these services. This includes collaborating with domestic violence shelters and other organizations to enhance access to court services outside traditional courthouse settings.