New computer system at courthouse causes major delays

(4/04/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Usually, computers make things easier. But at the municipal courthouse downtown, Houstonians and court employees are dealing with a few growing pains.

People are waiting hour after hour to pay speeding, parking and other municipal tickets. The only reason the city gives for what some are calling a fiasco is that the real-world learning curve is great.

Every day at Houston's municipal court, 8,000 people come to pay their tickets. But on Tuesday, people were waiting hours to do so. When we caught up with resident Tamara Boudreaux, she had already been waiting four and a half hours.

"I mean, how long do you want people to wait?" she asked.

Municipal court officials said the delay is due to a new computer system which went online Saturday. The system cost $13 million to purchase and implement.

Judges and staff received more than 9,000 hours of training on the new computers, but officials say training is far different from reality.

Richard Lewis, the acting chief clerk of the municipal court, explained, "Until you actually start using a tool for your work, you don't get proficient at it."

Lewis says except for a few minor glitches, the computer system is functioning properly. He attributes the delays to user inexperience.

Lewis warns those planning to appear for court to expect delays, at least for the next 30 to 90 days, while judges and court staff become accustomed to how things work.

He said, "When you change a system like this, it's not going to be perfect, particularly initially."

So for the time being, expect to wait.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•