Building Justice: A LEGO Approach to Court Modernization

As the son of a Danish immigrant, I've always had a soft spot for LEGO. Recently, I've realized how perfectly those colorful bricks illustrate the challenges and opportunities in modernizing our justice system.

Imagine you're given $5 million to modernize the courts. It's a significant sum, but not enough to overhaul the entire system. So how do you allocate those funds most effectively?

Traditionally, a large portion might go to higher courts for a comprehensive system, with the remainder distributed among smaller jurisdictions for basic tech upgrades. While this approach has merit, it often leads to disconnected systems and missed opportunities for cohesive innovation.

What if we took a LEGO approach instead?

Picture a master LEGO builder surveying the entire justice system. They'd design a modular system where each piece could stand alone but also seamlessly integrate with others. This builder would consider how today's investment could lay the foundation for future expansions and upgrades.

This modular thinking is transformational. It allows us to build for scalability, ensure compatibility, adapt to changing needs, maximize limited resources, and foster collaboration across jurisdictions.

One challenge we face is that many courts, especially smaller ones, may not know exactly what they need or how to ask for it. This is where our LEGO analogy becomes even more useful. Instead of leaving courts to figure it out on their own, we could offer pre-designed "kits" tailored to different needs:

1. The Castle Kit: Hardware for each courtroom to capture and protect the record - microphones, mixers, and other essential equipment.

2. The Moat Kit: Court reporting software with cloud-based storage and AI capabilities.

3. The Tower Kit: Comprehensive security measures for digital protection.

4. The Road Kit: Case management systems to ensure smooth workflows and efficient processing.

5. The Carriage Kit: IT infrastructure and servers - the backbone of our digital court system.

Some jurisdictions might already have a solid castle and moat but need the road and carriage to connect to the broader justice system. Others might need to start by building their basic infrastructure with the castle kit. This approach ensures that each court can choose the components that best fit their current needs and future goals, while still maintaining compatibility with the broader system.

Moreover, this method prevents courts from investing in solutions that don't align with the overall vision. For example, some courts might ask for a new horse to replace their old one, believing this will solve their problems. But what they don't realize is that the new horse will never get them to the kingdom. The journey is too long and dangerous to make on horseback alone. What they really need is a carriage.

With a carriage, they could hitch up their old horse and start the journey. Along the way, they could trade with a villager for a stronger, younger horse that can complete the trip. The carriage - representing a robust, scalable IT infrastructure - is the key to progress. A new horse - or a simple hardware upgrade - will just prolong their stay where they are, isolated from the broader justice system.

This example underscores the importance of strategic thinking in court modernization. It's not just about replacing old technology with new; it's about implementing solutions that connect courts to the larger judicial ecosystem and pave the way for future advancements.

When designing these systems, it's crucial to consider input from courts at all levels. A truly modern, efficient justice system needs to consider the entire structure, from the ground up. By involving stakeholders from across the judicial spectrum, we can ensure that the solutions we develop are practical, scalable, and meet the diverse needs of our entire justice system.

As we look to modernize our courts, let's take a cue from those iconic Danish bricks. Let's build a justice system that's modular, scalable, and designed for future growth. It's time to think more holistically about our approach to court technology. After all, justice, like a great LEGO creation, is built brick by brick, with vision, planning, and the understanding that every piece matters.

By adopting this LEGO-inspired approach, we can create a more cohesive, efficient, and adaptable justice system - one that considers all levels of the judiciary and the public they serve. It's not just about upgrading technology; it's about reimagining how our courts can work together to deliver justice in the 21st century and beyond.

Subscribe to my Substack newsletter today so you don’t miss out on a post. https://judgeschlegel.substack.com