You asked how much the courts spend on postage for mailing documents to attorneys and whether courts are required to mail documents.

According to Stephen Ment, deputy director of external affairs for the Judicial Branch, the Judicial Branch cannot separate from other mail postage expenses for mail intended for attorneys.

No statute requires the Judicial Branch to mail all documents in writing, but some statutes do requires documents in writing or personal service of documents.

According to information provided by Ment, official letters in criminal matters (such as hearing date notices and bail commissioner letters) are written. Other correspondence may be by email or telephone but official documents are not provided electronically. In civil matters, official court business (such as court orders and hearing notices) are provided in writing.

The Judicial Branch's E-Services allow electronic filing of tort, contract, and most property cases. Attorneys can submit and access documents electronically on the Internet. Notices such as confirmation and docket numbers are available through the Judicial Branch's website (http: //www. jud. ct. gov/external/super/e-services/efile/). According to information provided by Ment, the courts mail notice to litigants in addition to the information provided on-line but, beginning September 1, 2009, short calendars will no longer be mailed to attorneys unless they exclude themselves from E-Services. After September 1, attorneys will check E-Services for notice of calendar matters.

CR: ts