Nation sees shortage of court reporters
The National Court Reporters Association has estimated that the shortage of court reporters will grow to 5,500 unfilled spots across the country during 2019. Some folks in the legal field are calling the shortage a “national emergency.”
During a Schuylkill County Commissioners workshop meeting Wednesday, Court administrator Lois Wallauer said that the county’s staff of court reporters has shrunk from nine to three.
“No one’s going into the profession, and it’s a good profession to get into,” she said. “There are college courses and online courses, and salaries are very competitive.”
During the workshop, the commissioners approved a contract addendum for county court reporter Laura M. Baranko, who’s been with the county since 2013. The provision for a flat fee of $1,200 for five full days in one week was removed, but the other terms ($150 for half day and $325 for full day) will remain unchanged.
According to a website for the National Court Reporters Association, relying on digital recording devices can be problematic. During a trial, people may talk over one another, or technical terms may need to be clarified. Also, transcripts from legal proceedings are needed if an appeal is filed.
A trained court reporter can type 225 words a minute. The association estimates that for every new person entering the field, there are five people leaving. The average age of a court reporter is more than 50, according to the association. The training takes about two years.
In other action taken during the workshop, the commissioners:
Approved a revision to a Community Development Block Grant project in Mahanoy City for two projects, East End Park and Kaier Playground. Costs were higher than expected, and the borough will use funds left from 2016 to pay for the projects.
Approved the settlement of an assessment appeal in North Schuylkill School District for a property known as The Community Mission. The property, at 122 Line St., Girardville, will be exempt from real estate taxes effective Jan. 1, 2019.
