Scanned v paper v electronic model/property releases

[RKDauph]

I have a ton of model releases that I want to scan to have an electronic copy. Can I toss the originals since they will be stored as scanned images or are we supposed to keep the hard copy original as well?

I want to clean up some clutter but don't want to cause a problem for myself in the future...

Additionally, I started using Easy Release on the iPhone and iPad about 6-7 months ago and do not have paper releases for them. I ASSUME any court would have to accept those digital copies as the original. Waiting for an answer on scanned paper copies.


Thanks Ray

[suerenee]

Most counties in Texas are now accepting E-filings. I know Williamson County is paperless and will scan all court documents. Scanned images are becoming the norm.

[RKDauph]

Thanks for the reply Susan. Your comment that the county "will scan all court documents" implies there is a paper document to scan. Your answer helps the second part of my questions on e-documents are becoming the norm.

What do they do with the paper documents after they are scanned and filed?

[Howard Barlow]

Ray,
Carolyn Wright, Photo Attorney, once told me permission granted in an email was acceptable, as it is presumed the owner of the email account was the writer. Of course, in law, as in life, things are not always equal, so you really need a legal opinion.

[RKDauph]

Originally Posted by Howard Barlow

Ray,
Carolyn Wright, Photo Attorney, once told me permission granted in an email was acceptable, as it is presumed the owner of the email account was the writer. Of course, in law, as in life, things are not always equal, so you really need a legal opinion.

I understand that an electronic document in most cases is legal and binding.

My question, which may still require 50 (state) legal opinions is whether the electronic version of a scanned paper document holds the same weight (if that's the term) as the original paper document.

Let me reword the question:

If you have scanned, are scanning or plan to scan your model/property releases, are/will you destroy or keep the paper?

Just looking for general discussion here, I won't quote you when I get hauled into court...

[suerenee]

Originally Posted by RKDauph

Thanks for the reply Susan. Your comment that the county "will scan all court documents" implies there is a paper document to scan. Your answer helps the second part of my questions on e-documents are becoming the norm.

What do they do with the paper documents after they are scanned and filed?

Paper documents are shredded. I was just laid off from my paralegal job. Part of the reason I was laid off was that I automated our office. We had NO paper files at all in our office. If my former boss needed to take a document to court he'd print it off. Sometimes he'd show the judge a pdf on his ipad for informal hearings on bond conditions, counseling or driver license hearings.

I personally scan all contracts/releases after the calendar year is complete and I shred the originals.

[RKDauph]

Originally Posted by suerenee

Paper documents are shredded. I was just laid off from my paralegal job. Part of the reason I was laid off was that I automated our office. We had NO paper files at all in our office. If my former boss needed to take a document to court he'd print it off. Sometimes he'd show the judge a pdf on his ipad for informal hearings on bond conditions, counseling or driver license hearings.

I personally scan all contracts/releases after the calendar year is complete and I shred the originals.

Sorry to hear about your job - it's hell to pay for being efficient sometimes. Thanks for the follow-up information.

[TxTowman]

A verbal contract with a witness is still binding in texas unless the law has changed recently. A paper or electronic copy should back it up. How about video? I used to do some stuff with them holding their dr lic. to verify.

[RKDauph]

Originally Posted by TxTowman

A verbal contract with a witness is still binding in texas unless the law has changed recently. A paper or electronic copy should back it up. How about video? I used to do some stuff with them holding their dr lic. to verify.

I would consider a video as an electronic document, so I agree (not that my agreement being a hill'o beans, it should be binding.