The Owen County Courts and Clerk’s office is using a new 21st century computer system provided by the Indiana Supreme Court.  The system, known as “Odyssey” connects the Owen County Court and Clerk offices to other counties’ courts, law enforcement, state agencies, and makes court information available to the public.  Circuit Court Judge Frank Nardi, Clerk Harley Melton and Indiana Supreme Court Justice Frank Sullivan, Jr., will answer questions about the system and explain why Odyssey is an improvement for court staff, law enforcement, and taxpayers.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29TH
10:00 a.m. EDT
Circuit Court Room, 3rd floor
60 S. Main
Spencer, Indiana 47460

With Odyssey, the Owen County Clerk is able to receive electronic traffic tickets "written" by the Indiana State Police and other local law enforcement agencies.  Owen County Courts are also able to send electronic information on traffic cases to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). “This 21st century technology is a result of great partnerships with the legislative and executive branches,” explained Justice Sullivan.  “Odyssey is designed to save taxpayer money by reducing paperwork and the duplication of services.  Owen County Judge Nardi, Clerk Melton, and their staffs have shown great leadership in using this new court technology.”

Judge Nardi expressed his appreciation to the Supreme Court for including Owen County as an early adopter of the new court computer system.  “It puts Owen County at a great advantage to have Odyssey installed.  We are pleased with how efficiently this new case management system is operating and excited about how it will allow us to manage cases and even help improve public safety."

Odyssey was first installed in ten Indiana courts on a pilot basis in December 2007 under the direction of the Division of State Court Administration’s Judicial Technology and Automation Committee (JTAC).  It is part of the Court's effort to equip every Indiana court with a 21st-century case management system and connect courts with each other and state agencies. Courts pay no installation costs, training costs, license fees, or annual maintenance costs for Odyssey.  Those costs are paid by JTAC from the proceeds of a court filing fee dedicated to the project by the General Assembly.

Owen County Clerk Harley Melton expressed his appreciation for the new system and said, “I am delighted we were able to begin using Odyssey so quickly.”  Clerk Melton explained that his office is responsible for trust accounts, court costs, fines and judgments.  “We reconcile our accounts down to the penny every day.  That was never possible before.  Odyssey allows us to reduce paperwork and everyday tasks like searching for an account or printing a receipt are done quickly.” 

Odyssey is now operating in 39 Indiana courts in thirteen counties, including the Marion County traffic court, the busiest court in the state.  These courts comprise approximately 20% of all the cases filed in Indiana. Odyssey is designed to be implemented statewide.  Information on cases in Odyssey is available at no cost to the public online at courts.IN.gov.