Opinion
Delivered January 22, 1990
It is time to pause and reexamine some of the facets of our policy for certified court reporters.
We were petitioned by the court reporters to make their corps exclusive — that is only certified reporters could serve as court reporters or take court depositions. We did so in the interest of improving the quality of the administration of justice.
Since instituting that program, some questions have been raised and resolved; some remain. We have adopted uniform standards for transcripts. Our board is available to conduct hearings regarding court reporters and the rules regulating them. Examinations are conducted twice a year. Few pass the examination.
We need to determine if there are a sufficient number of qualified reporters in Arkansas to serve our legal system, and if not, what should be done to remedy the problem.
We also need to examine the subject of charges which court reporters make for court transcripts and their services. The legislature appropriates salaries for court reporters and also determines the cost per page of transcripts. We need to examine this question and see if we can or should decide what charges court reporters can make for all their services. This examination should also review charges made by official court reporters for per diem charges to attorneys.
The committee may hold any hearings necessary on these questions. The staff of Administrative Office of the Courts will assist them in their research, study and investigation of these questions.
We request a report by September 1, 1990, reviewing the advisability of this program, suggesting any changes and making recommendations on policy and the questions mentioned, and informing us of any other questions or problems needing our attention.
ATTORNEYS, JUDGES, COURT REPORTERS AND THOSE INTERESTED ARE INVITED TO FILE COMMENTS, CRITICISM AND RECOMMENDATIONS WITH THE CLERK OF THIS COURT NO LATER THAN APRIL 1, 1990.