How The Chester County, Pennsylvania, Court System Is Closing the Access-to-Justice Gap — One Kiosk at a Time

For many residents, walking into a courthouse for the first time is overwhelming. Between navigating unfamiliar buildings, understanding complex legal forms, and simply figuring out which office to visit, the experience can feel like a barrier rather than a bridge to justice. The Chester County court system is changing that.

Advanced Robot Solutions is proud to support Chester County's Phase 2 self-service kiosk program, building on the success of their 2025 rollout. This countywide expansion to 15 kiosks across 8 locations is redefining how residents interact with their local government and court system.

Meeting Residents Where They Are

What makes this deployment stand out is its scope. Rather than placing technology in a single high-traffic location, Chester County built a network that spans the full arc of a resident's experience, from Magisterial District Judge courts (often the first point of contact with the justice system) to the Justice Center, the Domestic Relations Office, and the Government Service Center.

Residents across the county now have consistent, reliable access to:

• Wayfinding - Interactive navigation through complex, multi-department facilities

• Forms Access - Digital access to key court forms with on-site printing

• Hearing Look-Up - Self-service case and hearing search by name or case number

• FAQs - Plain-language answers to common court and government questions

• Court Jurisdiction Info - Helping residents identify the right court for their matter

• 211 Integration - A direct connection to local health and human services resources

• Full Bilingual Functionality - Every feature available in both English and Spanish

Equity Built In From Day One

Three dedicated self-help kiosks in the Justice Center Law Library specifically serve self-represented litigants, one of the most underserved populations in the civil justice system. For residents navigating legal matters without an attorney, access to accurate forms and jurisdiction information can mean the difference between a resolved case and a costly procedural mistake. Additionally, the full bilingual experience gives Spanish-speaking residents complete access to every feature and service in their native language.

What It Means for Staff

When routine questions about directions, forms, and hearing schedules are handled at the kiosk, court and government staff are freed to focus on the complex, high-value interactions that genuinely require human expertise. That's a better experience for everyone.

A Blueprint for Counties Nationwide

Chester County's phased, multi-agency approach is more than a local success story — it's a replicable model. By integrating kiosks across courts and government facilities under a unified framework, the county has demonstrated how technology can systematically expand access to justice at scale.

As courts across the country look for proven strategies to serve more residents with fewer resources, Chester County offers a compelling answer.

Interested in bringing a similar solution to your county? Contact ARS to learn more.