eCourts

Expanding Access to Justice. North Carolina courts are transitioning from paper to digital. Find news, FAQs, training, resources, and more.

Continue reading below or use the links in the contents column to help you navigate to the information that interests you.

What Do I Need to Know for eCourts?

 

What is eCourts?

eCourts is a package of new software applications and technology infrastructure improvements that will transition our court system from paper to digital. The major components include the following:

  • eFiling: web-based platform for electronic filing of documents
  • Odyssey: digital integrated case management system (ICMS)
  • Portal: public website access for viewing records and making payments
  • Guide & File: assists users in creating basic legal documents
  • File & Serve: assists users in filing and serving legal documents
  • Attorney Manager (DA): case management platform for District Attorneys
  • Attorney Manager (PD): case management platform for Public Defenders
  • eDiscovery: platform enabling District Attorneys to share digital evidence
  • eWarrants: electronic warrant repository
  • Brazos: electronic citation platform
  • CRAVE: courtroom audio visual enhancements
  • Financial Manager: financial management system for Clerks of Court
  • eCourtNet: infrastructure overhauls and security upgrades

Although many of these components have already been successfully implemented statewide, most users will primarily engage with eFiling, Portal, and Odyssey, which will be phased in over a two-year period after go-live begins in 2023.

 
Benefits
  • Provides 24/7 statewide service to all Judicial Branch employees, attorneys, and public users
  • Provides web-based access to court records and documents
  • Streamlines court administration
  • Provides greater case management ability
  • Enhances disaster recovery (fire and flooding)
  • Reduces paper forms
  • Increases access to justice and the courts
  • Facilitates remote testimony through increased audio/video capabilities
    • Out of town witnesses, experts, and other witnesses can testify virtually
    • Law enforcement can appear virtually for testimony or warrant applications
    • Victims of violence or abuse can testify virtually, reducing the trauma of being in the same room as their abuser
    • Inmates can appear virtually reducing travel and costs and safety concerns for sheriffs and corrections officials

eCourts Fact Sheet

eCourts Advisory Committee Meetings

eFiling

eFiling, also known as File & Serve, enables you to file documents electronically through a single, secure, centralized online location. It also allows you to:

Go to eFiling (File & Serve).

  File & Serve logo

Portal

Portal allows the general public and registered users to access court information including:

  • Perform smart searches by party name, record number, citation number, attorney bar number, attorney name, business name, case cross-reference number, or nickname
  • Search for court dates and hearings by case number, party name, business name, attorney name, attorney bar number, judicial officer, or courtroom
  • View case information, records, and documents
  • Make instant online credit card transactions to pay fines and fees

Go to Portal.

  Portal logo

Odyssey

Upgrading from 40+ Applications to an Integrated Case Management System

FROM in-house, NCAOC-built, multiple case management / index systems housed on mainframes.

TO vendor-provided and hosted integrated case management system hosted in the cloud with eFiling for all case types.

 

Upgrading from 40+ applications into an ICMS wheel graphic

Odyssey Counties

There are currently 4 counties live with Odyssey -- Harnett, Johnston, Lee, and Wake.

Track Counties Target Go-Live Date
Track 1 - Pilot Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Wake February 13, 2023
Track 2 Mecklenburg Up Next in 2023

 

Pilot Counties -- Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Wake

Find recent eCourts materials for pilot counties below or view the county's pages linked above:

Timeline

Odyssey Rollout Plan MapOdyssey Rollout Plan Map

Odyssey is scheduled to roll out in tracks over a two to three year period. Track 1 consists of the pilot counties: Harnett, Johnston, Lee, and Wake. Pilot go-live was February 13, 2023. Track 2, Mecklenburg, is up next in 2023. Additional tracks are expected to come online thereafter until all 100 counties are live.

Projected Rollout Schedule

Product   Rollout Location   Projected Go-Live Date

Odyssey Integrated Case
Management System (ICMS)

(In each track, all components
of the ICMS will be released
simultaneously and include
eFilings for all case types.)

  Track 1 - Pilot Counties
Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Wake
  February 13, 2023
  Track 2
Mecklenburg County
  Up Next in 2023
  Subsequent Tracks
Additional tracks are expected to come online
thereafter until all 100 counties are live.
  2023 - 2024

 

eCourts Initiative   Primary Audience   Target Go-Live Date
Guide & File   Self-represented litigants, public, and attorneys   Launched August 31, 2020
eCourtNet   Courtrooms, employees, public, attorneys   Launched Q4 2020 - 2021
Brazos (Tyler eCitation Solution)   Pilot Law Enforcement Agencies (5)   Launched December 7 – 9, 2020
  Statewide – remaining eCitation law enforcement agencies   Launched January 18 – April 30, 2021
(Agencies were sequenced and scheduled for rollout)
eWarrants / NCAWARE Replacement
(Tyler eWarrants / Odyssey for Magistrates)
  Statewide (Magistrates, Clerks, Law Enforcement)   Launched July 22, 2022
Odyssey (ICMS) Pilot   Harnett, Johnston, Lee, and Wake Counties   Launched February 13, 2023

Additional eCourts Projects (Launched)