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Pilot court project allows online resolution of some cases

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Posted at 6:30 AM, Jan 17, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-17 08:31:00-05

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - A new pilot project underway in Scottsdale City Court allows defendants in certain misdemeanor cases to resolve their cases without having to stop into a courtroom.

The state Administrative Office of the Court said the Online Dispute Resolution Project allows a prosecutor to send a plea agreement and associated documents through the internet and for the defendant to accept or reject the plea agreement.

City Court officials start the processing by identifying cases that can take part in the project and inviting defendants to participate.

According to the office, the project's online software can be used to prepare documents for filing with the court so a defendant can plead guilty.