Court accepts e-mailed excuses
Source: CNN.com
A court in Yakima, Washington is taking Lady Justice digital by allowing drivers to e-mail their excuses or explanations instead of appearing in court.
Other courts allow attorneys to file briefs online. And many counties let offenders pay traffic fines on the Web. But Yakima County is believed to be the first court in the country to let defendants plead their cases via e-mail.
The county is doing it to ease court overcrowding. In addition, defendants don't have to miss a day of work to appear before the judge.
"This allows someone to sit in the convenience of their home, organize their thoughts and send it in," said Gloria Hintze, a court administrator.
