Court reporters play a critical role in ensuring an accurate record of court proceedings, and a new advisory committee aims to support them in that work. The Director of State Courts has convened the Court Reporter Advisory Committee to provide insight into challenges facing the profession, share updates on legislative and rule changes, and discuss other issues relevant to court reporting in Wisconsin.
The committee includes two representatives—one stenographic and one digital court reporter—from each judicial district. Court reporters in each district selected their representatives, choosing individuals with experience and strong working relationships in the field. The committee meets virtually at least once a month over the lunch hour, with its first meeting held on January 30. While it will not issue formal reports or recommendations, its discussions will help guide the Director of State Courts and staff on court reporting issues in Wisconsin courts.
In addition to this committee, the Director of State Courts has also convened an ad hoc Digital Audio Recording (DAR) Workgroup to focus on a specific set of topics, including DAR recording processes, requests, redactions, and costs. The workgroup includes judges, attorneys from the State Public Defender’s Office and State Prosecutor’s Office, a private bar representative, and members from various court-related organizations, including the Judicial Council, Wisconsin Trial Judges Association, Clerks of Court Association, Wisconsin Court Reporters Association, Digital Court Reporters, District Court Administrators, and CCAP.
Meeting virtually once a month, the DAR Workgroup plans to convene six times over the next six months, with the first meeting held on February 18. Like the Court Reporter Advisory Committee, the workgroup will not issue a formal report, but its discussions will help shape policies related to digital audio recording in Wisconsin courts.
Third Branch eNews is an online monthly newsletter of the Director of State Courts Office. If you are interested in contributing an article about your department’s programs or accomplishments, contact your department head. Information about judicial retirements and judicial obituaries may be submitted to: Sara.Foster@wicourts.gov