YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick has been appointed to a statewide, Ohio Supreme Court-appointed task force on improving court operations by using remote technology.

The iCOURT Task Force is charged with reviewing Ohio courts’ use of technology to continue effective operation of the judicial system during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will be making recommendations regarding use of technology in the future.

“Our court and the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center were able to stay open during the pandemic by implementing remote technology practices, and has since recognized the various benefits of its use,” Judge Dellick said.

Chief Justice Maureen O’Connor, who made the appointment, said in a news release that remote technology has been “critical to the administration of justice during this pandemic.”

She added, “Now we will take our knowledge a step further by finding out how technology can help local courts become even more responsive to the public for the remainder of the pandemic and afterward.”

Among the issues the task force will examine are how the courts have used technology and how successful remote appearances and trials have been so far.

The group will survey judges and attorneys regarding their experiences with remote court appearances and trials and see how they feel about them. The group will identify best practices and technologies for local courts and identify barriers and challenges to effective use of technology.

The group will examine issues such as limited internet access, wireless difficulties, costs and equipment. It will also identify steps needed to safeguard citizens’ due process rights. It will identify rules that may need to be updated and modernized and address how to best conduct remote criminal jury trials. It will also identify ways technology can be used to improve court efficiency and access to justice.

The task force will submit a report and recommendations to the Ohio Supreme Court next June. The task force will consist of no more than 25 voting members.

Members will include judges, magistrates, court administrators, information technology professionals, attorneys and clerks of court.

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