NCJ Number
90336
Date Published
1978
Length
45 pages
Annotation
This study determined the extent to which the Wisconsin court reporting process contributes to appellate delay, and recommendations are offered for expediting appellate case processing.
Abstract
Data used in the analysis were derived from trial and appellate court records as well as from surveys and interviews of court personnel. Currently, there is no centralized or coordinated administration of court-reporting operations in the State, thus preventing the allocation of reporting resources to meet workload requirements. Unacceptable delays exist in both the civil and criminal appellate processes, with court reporting being one factor contributing to the delay. Court reporter compensation should be reviewed; although basic compensation appears competitive, page rates are extremely low. Further, Wisconsin does not require reporter testing or certification; consequently, the determination of minimal qualifications is the responsibility of each trial court judge. Recommendations to deal with these problems include having the Administrative Office of the Wisconsin Courts assume an active role in the administration of court reporting operations in the State and initiating procedures for evaluating all reporters at least annually. A pilot computer aided transcript program should be established in a large court, preferably Milwaukee. Further, the State should institute testing and certification of all court reporters, and information from monthly management reports should be used to assess reporter performance continually. Finally, the responsibility for court reporter salary administration should be assumed by the Administrative Office. Appended are summaries of circuit court and county court reporter responses to the study questionnaire.