Budgetary cuts have hit state and local governments hard. One recent victim of the cuts is county-funded court reporters. Around 2012, many counties in California, including San Diego, Los Angeles, and Orange, stopped providing court reporters in superior court, which is the court that initially hears civil suits. Litigants could still hire one, but at the cost of approximately $750 per day. Poor litigants, especially poor plaintiffs, couldn’t afford one. This saved counties approximately $4 million per year, which was a substantial savings for the court system, but merely shifted the burden to litigants.

Why Would Anyone Need a Court Reporter?

What’s the big deal about a court reporter, you might ask. If a litigant wants to appeal a superior court decision, he or she submits a plea to the court of appeals. This is a different kind of court than one might envision from the movies.

Who Is Most Affected?

At first glance, one might think that there are few indigent litigants in the civil courts. That is partially true. Many trials in this branch of courts, like Jameson v. Desta, are prisoners who are suing another person. (In this case, a prisoner suing a doctor for malpractice over lack of proper treatment for his Hepatitis C.) This doesn’t happen very often.

If you feel your court case was not ruled fairly in superior court, contact an appellate attorney, even if you have no money, to see if your case can be heard at the appellate level.

Related resources:

  • Find an Appellate Attorney in Your Area (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
  • Appealing A Court Decision or Judgment (FindLaw’s Learn About the Law)
  • What Are Civil Rights? (FindLaw’s Civil Rights)

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