Paulita Kundid
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FCRA REASSERTS THE IMPORTANCE OF
LIVE COURT REPORTERS
In response to the anticipated large cutbacks in court staffing by the State of Florida in the face of severe budget problems and the need to recognize the leading role reporters play in introducing new technologies in the courts, The Florida Court Reporters Association (FCRA) issues the following policy statement affirming the role of and need for live court reporters in the courts of Florida:
Budget crises in Florida's courts have increased the pressure to reduce the number of qualified reporters or replace them with alternative record-making methodologies. Put simply: In times of economic challenge, concerns over funding often take precedence over concerns regarding the quality of the record.
FCRA believes that adopting such a limited perspective risks not only the production of an accurate, complete, and secure record of the proceeding, but also the efficient functioning of the judicial process and access to the courts for American citizens. Therefore, decisions regarding the best method for making the record must be based on the court's larger goals and public needs.
Court reporters are experts at gathering information and preserving it in formats that are quickly accessible and readily usable. They have played a critical role in bringing state-of-the-art technology into the courtroom. Clearly, realtime computer technology, when applied by highly trained and skilled individuals, enhances the value of the record. These 'Guardians of the Record' offer the only method for immediate voice-to-print translation via realtime technology, thereby providing counsel and the judge with instant access to the transcript during the proceedings and ensuring a faster and more efficient judicial process. The same technology provides greater access to the justice system for the more than 28 million U.S. citizens who are deaf or hard of hearing. Having the transcript immediately available in printed form puts vital information where and when it is needed. As a result, the role of the official court reporter has changed from making a record for appellate review to managing a multipurpose system that provides online data for judges, lawyers and other legal professionals.
FCRA advocates that live court reporters offer the best, most accurate, most efficient and most widely available method for reliably and instantly capturing and integrating the spoken word into a comprehensive and accurate information base. This proven voice-to-print capability is critical to the swift, fair, and accurate operation of justice. Therefore, Florida's courts should take every opportunity to make use of the skills and services that only a live court reporter can offer. To that end, FCRA stands ready, willing and able to assist in shaping the future of the judicial system in Florida.
FCRA is pleased to offer job listings on our web site. Ads are limited to 50 words and must be prepaid. Cost for one month's run on the website is $50. FCRA accepts American Express, Visa and Master Card. Payment must be made directly to FCRA Headquarters at 222 S. Westmonte Avenue, #101, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. Credit card payment may be faxed to Elaine York at 407-774-6440.
When you type in the wording for your ad, an email will automatically be sent to FCRA Headquarters. Upon receipt of your payment, FCRA Headquarters will email the Webmaster to "activate" your ad for one month. The expiration date of your ad will appear at the end of the ad text in parentheses.
Questions: Call Tina Kautter at FCRA Headquarters. 407-774-7880.
Click HERE to place a job listing ad.
FLORIDA COURT REPORTERS ASSOCIATION
222 S. Westmonte Drive, Suite 101, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Phone: 407.774.7880 Fax: 407.774.6440
This site created and maintained by Rick Greenspan, FAPR, RMR, CRR, FPR
Copyright 2006 Florida Court Reporters Association
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