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Bar News - July 23, 2004 Morning Mail ~ Belknap County Attorneys Support Stenographers Standing Up for Stenographers The following is an abbreviated version of a letter by James M. Carroll to NH Supreme Court Chief Justice John T. Broderick, Jr. A petition signed by 39 Belknap County attorneys, members of the county bar association, was also sent to the court. The signers of the petition are listed in the web site version of this article posted under News Releases. I am concerned about the Court’s decision to terminate the use of court stenographers. I must confess that I have not studied the court’s policy to introduce court monitors and to utilize that method exclusively. I understand that this conversion is being implemented to adjust the fiscal demands of recording and transcribing proceedings. From a fiscal prospective, I am sure that this transition makes sense. However, based upon my understanding that the processing of transcripts will be by outsourcing them, I believe that the procuring of transcripts will be more difficult from the perspective of timeliness. Further, I firmly believe that stenographic recording is the most accurate memorialization. This accuracy is preserved by the familiarity between litigators and the stenographic staff. I am not speaking as to the work or competency of the monitors. In my observation, the use of monitors gives our court clerks assistance in the office during breaks from trial work. We of the Bar are all too aware of the limitation of court personnel and office availability due to fiscal restraints. However, what is particularly disturbing is the fact that the stenographers will be replaced not by attrition but by termination. These people have been diligent, conscientious and professional employees of our court system. It is my understanding that [the reporters] have received confirmation that their positions will be terminated as of June 2005. This plan bears only money considerations. It bears no semblance to the justice that our judicial system is based upon. I recognize that there is litigation pending on this issue, and I recognize that you will not be addressing this issue directly. I have asked my fellow Bar Members to join me in identifying our objection to the present plan for termination of these dedicated employees and in recommending a process of attrition that will preserve with honor and fundamental fairness the present employees in their present positions until retirement. I thank you for your careful consideration in this matter. James. M. Carroll
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