Layoffs in Napa Courts to Cost Civil Litigants

According to a recent article in the Napa Valley Register, the cost to get a divorce, or settle other civil disputes, may be going up as attorneys are forced to hire independent  court reporters for family and civil matters.  Napa court officials have announced the layoff  of three court reporters and a human resources director due in part to the dire financial situation facing the state of California.

Court Reporters will still be provided by the state for criminal and juvenile proceedings as mandated by law.  President of the Napa County Bar Association, Paul Carey, has voiced his opinion that most attorneys recognize a need to have a court reporter present for rulings, or arguments in any matters of substance. 

This move seems to leave little option other than for civil litigants to hire independent court reporters at their own expense.  We at Kusar Court Reporters & Legal Services Inc. are troubled to hear that the state's financial situation threatens to impact our legal system in this way. We understand that an accurate and dependable account of all proceedings is critical to ensure a just outcome for all parties. 

As a leading source of independent court reporters in California, we will be working hard to make sure independent court reporters are available whenever, and wherever, they may be needed, throughout the state of California, and the nation. 

Source: napavalleyregister.com