By WKTV Staff
The City of Kentwood has announced that the city’s 62-B District Court is now offering a new — and innovative — service kiosk to “maintain public safety during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide better access to court services.”
The touch-screen kiosk is the first of its kind in Kent County that allows individuals to check-in for court remotely and receive a text message when it is their turn to enter the courtroom, according to the announcement.
Individuals can also visit the kiosk during business hours, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, to make payments or place court documents in a secure drop box.
Additionally, individuals can make payments online by visiting here or scanning the QR code located on signage in front of the Kentwood Justice Center, 4740 Walma Ave. SE.
“We are proud to be the first court in the county to offer this safe, innovative and convenient option for the community,” 62-B District Court Judge Amanda Sterkenburg said in supplied material. “The kiosk allows individuals to safely conduct business with the court, which is particularly important during the current surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reduces time spent waiting in line or going through security protocols to enter the facility.”
In addition to English, the kiosk’s software offers five other languages to serve the diverse Kentwood community: Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Kinyarwanda, Korean and Spanish.
The system has been operational since late December 2021 and was purchased by the court using federal pandemic support Cares Act funds.
According to the announcement, “The 62-B District Court strives to earn the public’s trust and confidence by providing a fair and just forum for the resolution of civil and criminal disputes, providing services in a professional, timely and efficient manner with respect and courtesy, educating and providing services in an understandable and user-friendly fashion, being accountable for the resources invested in the court and recognizing the changing needs of the judicial system and the people it serves.”
For more information on the new system contact Court Administrator Michele White at 616-554-0715 or whitem@kentwood.us.
