Judicial Misconduct
and Disability
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Chief Bankruptcy Judge
Benjamin Cohen
Clerk of Court
Scott W. Ford
Clerk's Office
Robert S. Vance
Federal Building
1800 5th Avenue North
Suite 120
Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 714-4000
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| Voice Case Information System (VCIS) |
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama announces
availability of its public information system - Voice Case Information System.
VCIS provides prerecorded voice messages and is accessible through four telephone
lines. The system offers search capabilities using name, case number, social
security number or tax identification number.
How it Works?
Most of you are familiar with the voice computer system such as commonly used
at a bank. These systems use pre-recorded human speech which typically only
works with a few phrases such as: Enter your account no. Enter 1 for the balance
- Thanks you and the like. Because there are only a few standard phrases, words,
or number that the system reads to the customer, it's practical to record a
human speaking the phrases and play them back when appropriate. This is really
phrase assembly rather than voice synthesis. Because there is no limit to the
sorts of words - particularly party names that might need to be ready, pre-recorded
speech isn't always used. Instead VCIS uses a devise called a voice synthesizer.
This is a card which contains a high-powered processor running a special program,
as well as dictionary of English words and standard rules or pronunciation.
The synthesizer will take words transmitted by the computer and read them over
the phone. The synthesizer generates words electronically. The voice-quality
is not perfect, but it gets easier to understand (sounds Norwegian) as it always
reads the information in the same order.
How Do I Use It?
To access VCIS simply dial the number listed below. VCIS
will instruct you on how to use the keys of your telephone to search for cases.
VCIS allows
five debtor's inquiry per case,
however,
it will provide information about all cases involving that debtor. NOTE: The
computer will instruct you to use the "1" key for the letters "Q" and "Z".
VCIS Features?
VCIS allows you to dial the court computer from any touch tone telephone. The
system provides the following information about the case:
- Name of debtor(s) or party
- Spelling of debtor(s) and Attorney names
- Trustee for case
- Judge name
- Assets and case status
- last date to file claims
- nature of debtor
- reopen date
- disposition method
- debtor attorney and telephone number
- the last four digits of the social security number(s) or tax ID
- case number
- case filing date
- 341 meeting date, time and location
- closing or discharge date
- original conversion date
- re-termination date
- voluntary/involuntary
What Is The Telephone Number For VCIS?
For case information, dial one of the following numbers:
In the Birmingham area - (205) 254-7337
or Toll Free - (877) 466-0795
If you dial any of these numbers, the system will automatically select the first
available non-busy line.
What Do I Need?
All you need is a push button telephone and either debtor(s) name, case number,
social security number, or tax identification number. Once the computer verifies
input, case information will be provide by VCIS
Service Availability?
VCIS is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, except when the computer is
undergoing maintenance.
What Is The Charge?
The information provided through VCIS is currently FREE of charge. However,
a user fee approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States may be
applied
at some point in the future.
What If I Have A Problem?
If you encounter any problems, please contact
our systems support staff at each division.
Eastern Division (Anniston)
Roy Mitchell
(256)741-1516
Northern Division (Decatur)
Tony Bryant
(256)340-2722
Southern Division (Birmingham)
Bruce Lee
(205)714-3947
Western Division (Tuscaloosa)
Micheal Patrick
(205)561-1608
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