Court turmoil: Trial transcription in New York is declining

NEW YORK. Their nimble fingers remain on the pulse of New York’s judiciary, with city court reporters typing at 225 words per minute during court hearings in five boroughs—even as their numbers dwindle.

“Unfortunately, this is a problem,” Anthony Frisolone, chief court reporter for the Brooklyn Federal Judiciary, said of the departures in recent years. “There have been many retirements in state courts, probably due to COVID. And the freelance market is covered by Zoom conferences.

“Now you can sit at home and make the same amount of money without commuting.”

There were no exact figures, but anecdotal evidence, court sources and court reporters pointed to the need to increase their ranks.

“We are constantly looking for court reporters due to a shortage of staff in the country, as well as the fact that many educational institutions are closed,” said Lucien Chalfan, a spokesman for the New York State Unified Judiciary.

Imagine Karen Santucci, who runs the city’s only court reporting program at Plaza College in Queens.

“Many court reporters have opted for early retirement during the pandemic,” Santucci said, echoing Frisolone in regards to laying off workers. “The situation in the courts is desperate.”

There are currently over 60 positions open on the New York Supreme Court, as well as federal court positions. But Santucci sees the city’s dwindling number of fast-typing court reporters as an opportunity to give a new generation of transcriptors a chance.

She recently took a group of about two dozen students to visit federal districts in Manhattan and Brooklyn, where opportunities await.

“Now everything is coming back to life,” she said. “I think we’re blowing the horn, we need people.”

Court Reporters provide verbatim transcripts of court proceedings from lawsuits to hearings, arraignments and conferences. And the pay is good: A temporary court reporter’s starting salary is just over $80,000 a year.

The story goes on

“The job of a court reporter is an integral part of the criminal justice system,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “Court reporters produce the official court transcript, which is essential for jury deliberations, appeals, and other aspects of the trial.”

Amanda Vila, court reporter for the Kings County Civil Court since April 2022, notes the number of retirements since she took the job and wonders about the future.

“Many of my colleagues are nearing the end of their careers,” she said. “We are talking about what will happen in 15, 30 years. If they start recording the process, will we have talk of being shut down?”

The 28-year-old remains adamant that a live court reporter is better than the recording of any court session or hearing: “It’s old school, but very effective. It may be old, but it really works.”

Vila cited recent problems in the Alex Murdo murder trial in South Carolina, where the digitally recorded transcript was riddled with problems, including sections marked “illegible.”

“We can clear things up at the moment,” Vila said. “In less than 30 days, you will be back (to the record) and have no idea what someone said. I wouldn’t want my fate to be in the hands of a recording device.”

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