Support for Electronic Court Recording Bill
(SB 662)
UPDATE:
Read Ann I. Park's Closing Argument
Contact California Governor Gavin Newsom
Regarding the Court Reporter Shortage Issue
Contact Your Local Legislator
Regarding the Court Reporter Shortage Issue
LACBA Call-to-Action to Members:
There is a court reporter shortage.
Help to pass legislation to allow electronic recording in Court hearings.
Voice your support for the Electronic Court Recording Bill (SB 662).
This is time-sensitive. Now to January 12, 2024, is the limited time to help get this Bill a favorable vote.
LACBA is calling on its members to voice their support for SB 662, the “Court Hearing Recording” bill. SB 662 will help ensure that a verbatim record of court proceedings is available in any civil case through expansion of electronic recording in all civil cases, including family law, under certain circumstances. This is necessary in light of a stark shortage of certified shorthand reporters. The bill is not a jobs killer; in fact, we believe work opportunities will increase since some recordings will need to be transcribed. More importantly, this bill helps to ensure access to justice by all civil litigants, many of whom need certified transcripts for appeals of trial court rulings on issues that impact their lives.
The bill is currently before the California Senate’s Appropriations Committee and a vote will be taken on whether to pass the bill out of that committee within days of January 8, 2024. If we cannot help this bill get out of the Committee, it will delay action on the availability of electronic recording of civil court hearings indefinitely.
Read Prior Letters in Support of SB 662 by LACBA and Others
LACBA President Kristin Adrian's January 9 Letter
in Support of SB 662
When: Now to Monday, January 12, 2024
How: Create an account/Log in and submit a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee and/or write a letter via email/prepare to call directly (use the contact info below)
What to Write/Say:
Hello______________,
I encourage you to SUPPORT SB 662 Court Record bill by Senator Rubio. It is a common sense response to a crisis plaguing our courts.
The lack of court reporters in California courts is a constitutional crisis. This crisis has directly impacted me and my clients. As an example: ____________________________________
(Consider writing about any of these situations and, if possible, talk about lower-income folks, family law cases, or small/family-run businesses
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I turned down a case because the cost of court reporters would have meant a recovery of little or nothing for my client/I advised someone to settle because a successful defense, including court reporter costs, would have cost more than the plaintiff was asking for
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My client had to make difficult choices about depositions or witnesses because of court reporter expenses
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A court reporter did not show up or showed up late and delayed proceedings
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We decided to have a hearing with no court reporter, even though it would have been better to have a record
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A client could not appeal because there was no court reporter for a hearing or trial. This case involved ___________
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My client was entitled to a free court reporter, but one was not available, and my client had to make the difficult choice of whether to go ahead or wait)
There is a two-tiered justice system where rich people get the gold standard live court reporters, and everyone else gets NOTHING!!! Electronic recording works and we already use it in evictions, small claims, criminal misdemeanors, and infractions cases. The technology is there now and justice demands we use it. We also need to hold courts accountable to recruit, hire and retain court reporters. SB 662 does both!
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR EMAILS OR CALLS:
Senate Appropriations Committee
(916) 651-4101
Matthew Fleming, Consultant on Judiciary/Public Safety Matthew.Fleming@sen.ca.gov
Anthony Portantino, Chair
Capitol Office (916) 651-4025
Aaron Skaggs, Chief of Staff aaron.skaggs@sen.ca.gov
cc Tara McGee, Legislative Director tara.mcgee@sen.ca.gov
If constituent, Glendale Office (818) 409-0400
San Dimas Office (909) 599-7351
Brian Jones, Vice Chair
Capitol Office, (916) 651-4040
Craig Wilson, Chief of Staff craig.wilson@sen.ca.gov
If constituent, San Diego Office (858) 547-3818
Senate Leadership:
ProTem Toni Atkins
Capitol Office (916) 651-4039
If constituent, San Diego Office (619) 688-6700
Nick Hardeman, Chief of Staff nick.hardeman@sen.ca.gov
cc Kimberly Rodriguez, Policy Director kimberly.rodriguez@sen.ca.gov
LINK TO LOOK UP YOUR LEGISLATOR
