Court transcripts inspire Off-Broadway play
We've centered much of the discussion on this blog about how court reporting services continue to be valuable once the trial or deposition has ended. While there is definitely merit in having a realtime court reporter present to refer back to the record during the legal proceeding itself, the most valuable contribution they make is the official transcript that they submit to the courts.
That document can be put to a wide variety of uses. Whether it ends up being used as evidence in future trials or referred to by investigators looking back at a certain case, it's not uncommon for many different types of individuals to come looking for court transcripts. However, in New York, it appears one case's transcript will be used for an unusual purpose: an Off-Broadway play.
Next week, Kupferberg Center for the Arts will be presenting the Off-Broadway performance of "De Novo," the story of a New York City gang member that attempts to leave the violent culture to try to find a new life. The play's title, which is a term often used in law, is derived from Latin and translates to "from the beginning" or "anew."
The story of "De Novo" focuses on the tale of Edgar Chocoy, a 14-year-old Guatemalan boy, who grew up in New York City with no family but his fellow gang members. Eventually, Chocoy realized he wanted to separate himself from that lifestyle, but was barred from doing so from the gang, who demanded he pay a fine. In order to escape, Chocoy moved away to Los Angeles. However, he was denied asylum there by an immigration judge and was deported back to Guatemala, where he was murdered 17 days later.
Whether it's local case covered by Milwaukee court reporters, or the story of a lost teen in a gang, it's important to remember that every legal proceeding needs the best in transcription services.
