C-J Articles Expedite E-Subpoena System

A recent series of articles in the Courier-Journal has expedited the effort to prevent Louisville Metro police officers from missing court appearances where their testimony is required.The Courier reported on hundreds of incidents of police officers failing to show up for court. Without police testimony, many of the cases were dismissed.Part of the reason for the missed appearances is the county's lack of an electronic system to notify officers of court dates and subpoenas. Jefferson County Attorney Michael O'Connell says the county has been working to install such a system, and now it may be installed sooner than previously thought."I think if it hadn't been for that article it would not be on the same timetable it's on and moving at the pace that I hope it keeps moving, because this is long overdue," says O'Connell."The article probably expedited it many-fold," says Metro Police Chief Robert White. "But I do believe – at some point in time, which I do not have the answer when that point of time would have been – it would have occurred."However, O'Connell says the county still does not yet have the money for the system, and no date for its installation can be set. He and White made their comments to the Louisville Forum.