8 New Court Reporting Laws in the State of Pennsylvania
New Court Reporting Laws in PA
(These are for official court reporters who work for the state and do NOT govern freelance reporters.)
Laws are constantly changing and evolving, and it’s important for us, as a court reporting firm, to keep up with the rules and regulations that govern our work. However, these laws can also affect our clients, so we’d like to list some recent changes and discuss what they mean for all those involved in the process.
- Establishing uniform maximum fees for transcripts. The committee found a wide disparity in the fees charged for transcripts.
- Due to this wide range of fees, creating a maximum will allow for a more streamlined process throughout the industry.
- Reducing or waiving fees for litigants who are unable to pay for them.
- Encouraging the use of electronic transcripts, designed to reduce transcript costs and enhance the quality and timeliness of the transcripts. District court administrators will monitor how promptly transcripts are produced.
- At Constance Lee & Company, we can offer both electronic transcripts and physical copies, in order to provide our clients with the best experience possible.
- Creating comprehensive formats for transcription that mirror federal court standards. The committee found discrepancies in margins, indents and lines per page that resulted in more pages and higher costs in some counties.
- This simply creates an easy-to-follow system that will eliminate confusion and maximize the time of all parties involved if formats are consistent.
- Establishing standardized qualifications and responsibilities for court reporters, recorders and transcriptionists, including their duties as officers of the court.
- This will ensure that everyone has passed tests properly qualifying them for court reporting, enhancing the experience of their clients.
- Authorizing the redaction of personal identifying information from transcripts to preserve privacy and security.
- As security becomes more important than ever with the Facebook scandal and the web in general, this is one way the industry can protect you and your privacy. We want to provide the best service possible. To do that, we will be focused on maintaining your privacy by staying up to date on new technology as well as customer relationships.
- Expediting cases requiring priority (e.g., Children’s Fast Track appeals).
- For further detail on Children’s Fast Track Appeals visit this page on pabar.org.
- Clarifying ownership of the transcripts as property of the court, rather than individual court reporters, and designating a place for filing and storage.
- This sets a precedent for all filing which simplifies the process and reduces confusion.
At Constance Lee & Company, we strive to provide the greatest possible services for our clients which include knowing the laws of the land. If you or someone you know needs a court reporter, look no further than Constance Lee & Company. With over 25 years of experience, you can trust us for all of your court reporting needs.
Contact us today to learn more about the court reporting services we provide and how we can best serve you.