Ohio lawyers oppose court decision to cut reporters

In Butler County, Ohio, the Common Pleas court reporters program is going to be eliminated to reduce operational budgets. While the county may be planning on implementing recording devices to help provide the information needed to create deposition transcripts, many attorneys in the area are outwardly opposed to the new plans and show heavy support for the reinstatement of court reporters, according to the Middletown Journal, a local newspaper.
"It is always better to have a court reporter transcribe testimony in real time," Tamara Sack, a defense attorney in the county, told the source. "Especially if there is a need to have testimony read back during trial or provide attorneys with transcripts during trial without any delay."
Another lawyer, Jack Grove, stated that many recording devices experience problems with abrupt noises. Sirens, coughing and other extraneous sounds that occur on a daily basis can disrupt some portions of a taping, which can make it challenging for lawyers and judges to obtain accurate transcripts.
With so many attorneys from Butler County expressing support for court reporters, and even becoming concerned about how functional the court system may be in its appearance, it seems that court reporters are still in high-demand despite any advancements in voice recording software.
For attorneys in the Midwest, partnering with Wisconsin court reporters can be a way to not only ensure they're able to acquire accurate deposition transcripts when necessary, but also to provide lawyers with access to video deposition services and videoconferencing systems.