JIS-LINK Questions & Answers

Q. How do I get trained to use JIS-Link?

A. The JIS-Link Manual gives easy-to-understand, step-by-step procedures for accessing the information you need and should be used as a self-training tool. No JIS-Link training is provided by the AOC.

Q. Is SCOMIS/JIS access through JIS-Link like the SCOMIS/JIS public access terminals at the superior/district courts?

A. The major difference is that, while public access terminals at the court provide access to that court's records only, JIS-Link provides you with access to all counties and court levels from the convenience of your office.

Q. Is there a monthly minimum charge for access to JIS-Link?

A. Yes. The AOC will apply a minimum charge of $6.00 to all JIS-Link invoices. If transaction charges are less than $6.00, the subscriber will be billed $6.00; if transaction charges total $6.00 or more, actual charges will be billed with no additional charge. If a subscriber has no transaction charges for the month, and no invoice needs to be mailed, no charges will be billed.

Q. What about telephone charges?

A. If you are accessing JIS-Link through your web browser, your ISP may charge you for connect time if the ISP's rate structure includes time based charges for connection to the Internet.

Q. Is there a time limit on how long we spend online with JIS-Link?

A. You can use JIS-Link as long as you need during its scheduled hours of availability. However, if you are signed on but don't press a function key (i.e., <ENTER>) within a specified time (currently 10 minutes), it is assumed you are no longer actively using an application, and your session is terminated.

Q. How many users can my firm have? Do more users cost extra?

A. Your firm can set up as many JIS-Link users as you need. The AOC will assign a user ID for each person. There is no additional charge for more users at this time, but note that only the JIS-Link Site Coordinator you designate is authorized to call the AOC for assistance.

Q. My organization has several offices--one in Seattle, one in Spokane, and one in Portland. Can we pay just one installation fee for all of them since we're all part of the same organization?

A. When the same enterprise has multiple offices, multiple installation fees are generally required. As a guideline, an installation fee is required for each site which has a designated JIS-Link Site Administrator authorized to contact the AOC. If all administrative and support activities for all sites are channeled through a single JIS-Link Site Coordinator, and the AOC only needs bill, one installation fee is sufficient. Installation fee decisions are made based on the amount of work required of the AOC, not the structure of the subscriber organization.

Q. Our law firm needs to bill the cost of using JIS-Link back to the clients. What is available to help with this?

A. We suggest each person using JIS-Link keep a "call log" as they work. When you receive the monthly JIS-Link statement, each person will be able to indicate which calls are his/hers and the client to be charged.

Q. We're a state agency. How are billing arrangements handled?

A. You will receive a monthly invoice. Pay by state warrant or journal voucher (JV), and return the invoice with a check or a copy of the JV. JV coding is shown on the invoice.

Q. When I encounter problems using JIS-Link, how do I get help?

A. Problems encountered usually fall into these categories: 1) unable to get connected; 2) computer "locked up" while using JIS-Link; and 3) questions about how to use ACORDS, JIS, SCOMIS or other JIS-Link services.

First, use all the resources at your disposal to solve the problem including the JIS-Link Manual and your in-house experts. If the problem persists, your designated JIS-Link Site Coordinator may call the AOC's Customer Services at 360-357-2412, Option 1 for assistance. The necessary telephone numbers are supplied with the JIS-Link Manual.

Q. How far back does SCOMIS data go?

A. The earliest courts began entering data into SCOMIS in 1977 (Yakima County), and more recently, San Juan and Wahkiakum Counties began entering data in 1987. Our most recent addition is Garfield County in 1993. The vast majority of superior courts went on SCOMIS in 1984 or earlier. A table showing courts and their SCOMIS implementation date is available.

To better manage court records, case detail information for old, inactive cases is frequently moved "off-line." Index information remains, however, to help locate a case. This frequently coincides with the archiving or microfilming of closed case records at the court. (Note: If you need a case un-archived, you need to call the specific court for assistance.)

Q. Is Spokane County on SCOMIS?

A. Yes. As of July 1, 1994, Spokane County Superior Court records are available through SCOMIS. Note: The Spokane conversion took place effective May 1992. So only cases filed since May 1992 or cases which have had some activity since then will show up in JIS-Link.

Q. Are Pierce County records on SCOMIS?

A. Yes. Most Pierce County Superior Court information is in SCOMIS. However, effective January 2, 2002, the SCOMIS docket record is now abridged for active Pierce County Superior Court cases. SCOMIS continues to display complete statewide, including Pierce County, case status and disposition information. More Pierce County Superior Court information is available from the Pierce County Legal Information Network Exchange (LINX).

Q. Is information on types of cases (unlawful detainers, judgments, etc.) available?

A. If you have a name or a case number you can obtain information on specific cases. It is not possible to obtain a list of all cases of a certain type.