JWISE Attorney Access
- NC OJD
- Jul 11, 2018
- 2 min read
What is JWise Attorney Access?
As mandated in the Raise the Age legislation, as of July 1st, juvenile defenders now have access to the juvenile delinquency index known as JWise! For those not familiar, JWise is the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) database where clerks enter court-related information about juvenile cases. Most of the information is case status, such as adjudications, dispositions, and other hearings. While JWise includes data from Abuse, Neglect and Dependency proceeds, attorneys will only have access to juvenile delinquency cases where they have a client with an open case. This access is read-only. Note also that the clerk’s file, not JWise, is the official record of the court.
How Will the Access Improve My Practice?
JWise will allow attorneys quick access to basic, essential information about the status of their clients’ cases. While attorneys should still be reviewing the clerk’s file for more detail about their clients, JWise may offer quick answers to questions regarding court hearings. In addition, attorneys will be able to see information about a client’s case in another jurisdiction if it’s transferred. Note that not all counties will have the same data, as some fields are mandatory and some are not.
How Do I Get Access to JWise?
All staff of the public defender offices and privately assigned counsel with a bar number will have access to this tool, but access must first be requested through AOC using the form provided here. Once the form is filled out, it must be faxed to AOC (not the clerk’s office) for activation. Once access is granted, both privately assigned counsel and public defenders may log into JWise using the link here. Public defenders also have the option to access the database via Juno.
What If I Need Assistance?
For attorneys who may be unfamiliar with JWise, AOC has created a 15-minute video walkthrough to better explain how to use and access it, which can be viewed here. If you encounter any technical issues with the system, please contact the AOC Help Desk at 919-890-2407. If there are any substantive questions, attorneys should feel free to contact the Office of the Juvenile Defender.