The transformation of American courts from conventional adjudication to smart judicial systems

Srinivas, M.K. and Benjamin, M.S. (2026) The transformation of American courts from conventional adjudication to smart judicial systems. Indian Journal of Law and Legal Research, 8 (4). pp. 6401-6433. ISSN 2582-8878

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Abstract

The American judicial system has historically relied on conventional adjudicatory structures characterized by physical courtrooms, paper-based documentation, and manual procedural mechanisms. While this traditional framework ensured institutional stability and adherence to due process, it has increasingly struggled to accommodate rising caseloads, procedural complexity, and contemporary demands for efficiency and accessibility. In response, courts across the United States have undergone a significant transformation toward Smart Judicial Systems, marked by the integration of digital technologies such as electronic filing platforms, virtual hearings, automated case management systems, artificial intelligence–assisted legal tools, and data-driven judicial administration. This article adopts a doctrinal research methodology to examine the legal and institutional evolution of American courts from conventional adjudication to Smart Courts. It analyzes constitutional provisions, judicial precedents, statutory frameworks, and administrative rules governing court digitization, with particular attention to due process guarantees, judicial independence, transparency, and access to justice. The study critically evaluates the normative justifications for smart court adoption while identifying doctrinal tensions arising from algorithmic decision-support systems, data privacy concerns, and technological disparities among court users. The article argues that while Smart Judicial Systems enhance procedural efficiency and administrative capacity, their legitimacy ultimately depends on strict adherence to constitutional principles and robust regulatory safeguards. It concludes that doctrinal coherence, rather than technological advancement alone, must guide the integration of smart technologies into the American judiciary to ensure that innovation strengthens rather than compromises the foundational values of the justice system.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Smart Courts, Judicial Technology, American Legal System, E- Courts, Artificial Intelligence in Law, Court Digitalization. Smart Courts, Judicial Technology, American Legal System, E- Courts, Artificial Intelligence in Law, Court Digitalization. . Smart Courts, Judicial Technology, American Legal System, ECourts, Artificial Intelligence in Law, Court Digitalization.
Divisions:	Department of > Law
Depositing User:	Dr Raju C
Date Deposited:	04 Feb 2026 05:19
Last Modified:	04 Feb 2026 05:19
URI:	http://eprints.uni-mysore.ac.in/id/eprint/18252

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