Cleveland Law Library Weblog

Hamilton County Considering Eliminating Court Reporters

The Daily Legal News and Associated Press report that for the second year in a row, Commissioners in Cincinnati in Hamilton County are considering whether to eliminate court reporters and replace them with audio recording systems. The print edition of the Daily News quotes Hamilton County Commissioner Pat Dewine as saying "Hamilton county is the only county in the region [including northern Kentucky and Warren, Clermont and Butler counties in Ohio] that refuses to adopt to modern technology in our our courtrooms." Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge John Burlew counters that the machines Dewine wants to install are unreliable and potentially inaccurate. Apparently, Clermont County switched to machines to record hearings and trials in 2002 and only has one court reporter on staff to monitor the equipment. Nearby Butler County uses a combination of both recorders and court reporters.

Court Reporter Certification Study Released by Ohio SCt

On Friday, the Supreme Court of Ohio's Task Force on the Certification of Court Reporters issued a 54 page report with 17 recommendations for developing a process for certifying court reporters who record proceedings in Ohio courts. The Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice formed this Task Force in March of 2006 with the goal of establishing court standards for court reporters. The Task Force recommendations include the definition of a "court reporter," creation of a Commission on Court Reporters, certification requirements, a requirement that all applicants sit for a certification exam, continuing education requirements, and a proposal to create a Code of Ethics and Professionalism for certified court reporters.  Click here for more information on the Task Force, including a roster of its members and meeting minutes. Although there is no requirement to record civil proceedings, Rule 11(A) of The Ohio Rules of Superintendence requires courts to provide a means of recording at the request of a party. In addition, ORC 2301.20 requires Common Pleas Courts to provide a court reporter at the request of a party or the party's attorney.