Chester County is paving the way for modern access to court services with the installation of interactive information kiosks at its Justice Center and two Magisterial District Courts. The move sets Chester County apart as the first in the Commonwealth to implement such tech-driven services in government facilities. The kiosks, boasting touchscreen and voice-activation features, are powered by artificial intelligence (AI), serving users with various court-related needs.
According to a recent announcement, these kiosks enable visitors to access court forms, find locations within the Justice Center, and pay fines or bail using a credit card. Moreover, they offer video links to the Chester County Human Needs Network, connecting people with crucial services. While these innovations are currently English-only, Spanish translations are on the horizon, broadening the services' accessibility. Chester County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft remarked on the potential of AI in a statement, noting that “Technological advances continue to provide opportunities for the courts to communicate more effectively and meaningfully with more people. Artificial intelligence – AI – is the latest example, and we intend to use its capabilities to our benefit."
The AI kiosks are located in key areas such as the lobby of the Justice Center, the Court Administration Office, Family Court, and Magisterial District Courts in Kennett Square and Phoenixville. Plans to introduce these kiosks at the Chester County Library and Henrietta Hankin Branch Library are also underway, as stated by Chester County Court Administrator Patricia Norwood-Foden.
Norwood-Foden emphasized the county's dedication to delivering variable options for those seeking justice and court services. “In Chester County, we believe everyone seeking court services and access to justice should have multiple options available to obtain the information they seek. The kiosk is one platform that we can use to deliver that information efficiently and effectively. Making information available in multiple languages promotes fairness and inclusiveness in our court system,” she explained. The expansion to include multiple languages, as they believe, promotes fairness and inclusiveness in the court system. Funding for this innovative project was sourced from Chester County’s American Rescue Plan Act funds, as noted by the county's official announcement.
For those interested in the specifics of Chester County's kiosk program or other services provided by the Court Administration, additional information can be found on the Chester County website.
