South Dakota Lawmakers Tackle Stenographer Shortage: A Move Towards Audio Recordings
Amid a pressing shortage of stenographers, or court reporters, South Dakota’s legislative committee has unanimously propelled a bill that proposes empowering judges with the discretion to utilize audio recordings in lower-level court proceedings. This strategic move by the state highlights a significant shift in judicial processes, aligning with technological advancements to address labor shortages.
The House Bill 1011, which is currently advancing to the full Senate, represents a response to the dwindling pool of qualified stenographers. South Dakota’s State Court Administrator, Greg Sattizahn, explained to the Senate Judiciary Committee the evolving landscape where audio recordings have increasingly supplanted the roles traditionally filled by stenographers.
Steven Jensen
“An audio recording can be used after the hearing to create an official written transcript if necessary,” Sattizahn stated. He emphasized that this method has become increasingly prevalent as the state’s judicial system grapples with the issue of staffing shortages.
South Dakota currently faces eight vacant positions for court reporters within the Unified Judicial System. With a roster of 41 court reporters, the reliance on audio recording systems becomes evident, aided by 11 available recording systems.
According to Sattizahn, “As those positions come open, we’ve in many cases converted them to court recorders,” highlighting a proactive adaptation strategy within the state’s judiciary.
For parties involved in misdemeanor criminal or civil cases, the prevailing law allows the option to demand in-person stenographer services. This right, however, sometimes exacerbates the scheduling challenges associated with more serious felony cases, as noted by Sattizahn. The passage of House Bill 1011 would streamline these processes, granting presiding judges the authority to decide whether a stenographer is truly necessary.
No opposition to the bill emerged during discussions in the Senate Judiciary Committee, which supported the measure by a 7-0 vote, underscoring a shared acknowledgment of the challenges posed by the stenographer shortage.
Unified Judicial System South Dakota
South Dakota’s judiciary is keen on leveraging technology to maintain the efficiency and integrity of legal proceedings. The state’s leadership, including Supreme Court Justice Steven Jensen, supports these innovations as a pragmatic solution to workforce challenges, aligning legal practices with modern technological capabilities.
This strategic evolution reflects broader trends across the United States, where similar technological adoptions in judicial systems are gaining traction due to workforce shortages. For South Dakota, the bill signifies a commitment to progression, adapting to new methodologies while safeguarding the quality and accuracy of court records.
The impending full Senate review of House Bill 1011 is crucial, paving the path for possible enactments that could redefine judicial processes in the state. The decision-makers in South Dakota remain vigilant in addressing their people’s needs without compromising the efficacy of justice.