In September, Early Langley, RMR, highlighted the importance of stenographic court reporters to the court system in an article published by the September 29 Marin (Calif.) Independent Journal. Langley pointed out how recent cuts to official court reporter positions in California have essentially created a two-tiered justice system that separates those who can afford to bring in a highly-skilled stenographer from those who cannot. Since a transcript is needed for an appeal, litigants must either pay to transcribe the digital recording or pay to bring in a stenographic court reporter. She asserted, “The integrity of the judicial process is at stake here with the average person no longer having access to equal justice.”
Source: http://www.marinij.com/tablehome/ci_21661409/budget-cuts-eliminate-manycourt-stenographersv