To the editor: I applaud the Los Angeles County Superior Court docket’s choice to permit digital recording of sure hearings. This addresses an unconstitutional failure in California’s justice system that has lengthy denied many their proper to attraction.
For years, a scarcity of courtroom reporters has left hearings unrecorded, successfully barring appeals for many who can’t afford non-public reporters. Up to now 18 months, 525,000 folks in L.A. had no report of their courtroom proceedings. This has drastic penalties for home violence survivors searching for to problem harmful custody choices or denied restraining orders.
L.A. nonetheless prioritizes courtroom reporters, however when they aren’t out there, the selection between an digital report or no report in any respect is evident. Permitting judges to press “report” when reporters are unavailable is a victory for justice and accessibility.
Our courts should prioritize constitutional rights and guarantee everybody has a good likelihood at justice, no matter their capacity to pay.
Erin Smith, Burlingame, Calif.
The author is co-founder and former chief government of the Household Violence Appellate Mission.
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To the editor: In 1973, I directed a examine for the state’s Judicial Council in 30 municipal courts of California utilizing tape recorders. The examine demonstrated their effectiveness.
In 1975, after I was administrative director of courts in Kentucky, we changed all courtroom reporters with tape recorders and some years later went to videotaping of all trials. The video system is extra correct, cheaper and extra expeditious than conventional courtroom reporting techniques.
It’s effectively past time for California to meet up with this innovation.
William Davis, Carson Metropolis, Nev.
