The Associated Press

CHEYENNE - Wyoming's justice system is gradually becoming more accessible online.

In February, the Wyoming Supreme Court began offering its case schedule to the public on its Web site, said Judy Pacheco, clerk of the court.

Attorneys appealing cases are able to electronically file documents, which anyone can access as long as it's a public record.

"It's all available to the public," Pacheco said. "I think it's great."

Judgments and opinions filed in those cases also are available.

Gay Woodhouse, president of the Wyoming State Bar and a Cheyenne attorney, said federal courts have used electronic filing here for about two years.

"We're really glad to see it here in Wyoming," she said of the Supreme Court.

Filing case documents online saves money and time, Woodhouse said.

Attorneys from other parts of the state will no longer have to drive to Cheyenne to file paperwork, saving money for clients, she explained.

Steven Dreher, chief technology officer for the state Supreme Court, explained that a court clerk still reviews the electronic files once they are submitted.

"Hopefully we will be branching out and doing e-filing for the district courts statewide," Dreher said.

In addition to electronic filing, the court system is working to establish wireless Internet access for court employees, attorneys and, eventually, the public.

Wireless access for judges and their staff at the Supreme Court and at district courts in Laramie, Albany and Natrona counties should be available in the near future. The equipment arrived in the past week and should be set up before the end of March, Dreher said.

Public wireless access would be limited to the court's internal Web sites once up and running, possibly in 2010.

Other theoretical uses of the technology could include members of the public driving up alongside the courthouse and paying a parking fee online from their vehicles, Dreher said.

"There's a huge convenience factor here," Dreher said.

Attorney access to the networks should be available in 2009.