Taking part in history

One of the great joys of the profession of court reporting is being present and recording the events of history. I had the privilege of doing just that in February 2010 when I was the official reporter for the three-judge review of the case of Gregory Flynt Taylor, a man convicted of first-degree murder of a woman in 1991 (conviction 1993).

The case was brought before the Innocence Inquiry Commission, the only state-run agency in the country set up to review claims of actual innocence, and they in turn recommended review by the panel. After five days of evidentiary hearing, the judges returned with their opinion.

Based on new evidence brought to light (which is the only way the review could have proceeded, with NEW evidence), they found by clear and convincing evidence (the standard of review) that Mr. Taylor was innocent of the crime for which he had been convicted.

Mr. Taylor spent 17 years in prison. The judges overturned the verdict of a 12-member jury panel. It, I have no doubt, was a very difficult prospect and, in the end, it seems that justice has prevailed.

Court Reporters, the scribes of humanity, are the silent note takers that preserve history. What a fabulous profession. I feel blessed to be part of it.

Tax Deadline Approaches!

At this time of year, small business folks are scrambling to get all our ducks in a row. We have to review our payments to subcontractors so we can get their 1099 Misc paperwork out by February 1 (January 31 is a Sunday!).

Then there's the County Tax Man who needs to know how much property he can tax in my small business. Of course, what he isn't going to like is that I sold a steno machine and donated my completely depreciated office desk. Heh. I only bought one major piece of equipment last year, and I can expense it rather than amortize it.

Man, I just LOVE January. So if you don't see me between now and Feb. 2, you'll know what I'm working on!

Holiday Break, New Year, Goals.

Well. It's been a while since I've posted. Guess you could say it's been a busy holiday season. Thanksgiving week saw me in a trial, then with visitors; December was chock-full of assignments and more visitors. Now it's January and all I can say is - Hallelujah! I'm tired of celebrating. Really. It's hard work being "on" all the time.

Frankly, being "on" as a reporter has been a relief now that I'm back to work. I'm in my comfort zone, as it were. I know what I'm supposed to do and how to do it. I know my place. Family get-togethers are mine fields. Not just with emotions and egos, but food and gifts. Ack.

What are your goals for 2010? I've got a few:

• exercise 4x a week, at least, for 30 minutes or more (this is a sedentary job - this is really important!)
• eat healthier meals and try not to go out more than twice a week (this means all meals, two total out). I've started to eliminate processed sugars/flours from my diet. Agave nectar is great in coffee - and Ezekiel bread is VERY tasty and full of fiber
• get realtime certification. this is the year! (RVR test is at the end of February...)
• keep in touch with friends (keep me honest, here and on Facebook, emails, boards)

What do you think? Can this be the year we maintain our goals until it's time to make new ones? I'm game. It's just a matter of knowing what your job responsibilities are, right?

In Praise of a Redundant System

You know what happens when you work in a high-stress, highly computerized environment, right? Murphy's law (well, seems like Murphy himself) is always right there over your left shoulder.

Whether it's a USB cable that goes bad, the battery on a computer or a steno writer, your rechargeable battery charger... Whatever it is that you ONLY HAVE ONE OF, that's what breaks down. The solution is easy - but not cheap - have two of everything.

For the longest time I've had two of everything - two steno machines, two backups (digital recorders), two computers, two power packs, you name it - but when I switched over to voice writing, I got slack. I have only ONE mask with the smart mic. I have only ONE USB Andrea translation device in my pack.

What went wrong? Well, everything. Seems my USB connection got a little wonky and sent staticky (is that a word?) sound through to my VOX software; ergo, no translation. And, seems my split cable has a bad connector, so only ONE line out from voice. GREAT.

I now have two extra USB Andrea translating devices; however, only one - ONE so far - smart mic mask. I've been in court, so I have to order these things as I can.

The lesson? Have two of everything in your bag. You don't want to have to do things the "old fashioned" way. AND, should someone ever need to borrow something (like a steno machine), you have one you could rent out (to recoup some of your costs!)

Happy reporting.

Unplug for an hour... you'll live!

So the Stenotraveler became a regular traveler this past weekend. A fun trip - with no steno machine, computer, or translation key in sight. That said, I did have my smartphone.

What amazes me, though, is people who just can't turn it off for an hour or two. Seriously. We have so little "down time" anymore - we're always connected - that I love the time I spend in an airplane. I can read. Nap. Watch a movie. Or chat up my seatmate.

Last night the woman in the seat next to me NEVER TURNED OFF HER SMARTPHONE! Now, she turned it on "silent" so it wouldn't ring, but as soon as we were up above 10k feet, she was on the email the entire flight (it was a whopping 45-MINUTE FLIGHT!!). I kept shooting her dirty looks. Amazing.

Now it may be that the smartphones and other electronics do not affect the equipment (at least that's what we've been given to believe b/c of the 9/11 heroes) but still, if the airline wants you to turn of your electronics for 15 minutes, you should do it. It's their plane, their rules. And you just never know. I'd hate to think that a stupid email about someone's travel plans for two months down the road might cause a problem in the flight and ruin the evening for 119 other people on the plane.

Just saying.

Starting over - Revitalizing the School

Last week I was part of an incredible group of people who came together to discuss how the court reporting program at LCC could be revamped to become more successful and more relevant.

We have the President of the college, VP of Curricula, Dean of Technology programs, Registrar, and two other admins - that's just from the college. Several colleagues came from all over or participated by telephone. We even had a local judge offer his comments.

The program pretty much withered and died over the past couple years, changing from a brick-and-mortar program and morphing into an online program; alas, it could not make its changes adequately. The uniqueness of the program, though, still entices the administration and they want to move forward.

The entire program is being looked at from the job description for the teacher and any assistants, the entire two-year program and course offerings, the methods to be taught (voice and steno), the delivery methods, etc.

With all the great minds participating, if it doesn't work, it won't be for lack of trying.

If you have ANY input that you would like me to share with the Advisory Board, please let me know!

Get serious about what's important

Remember the old line, "Do something you love and the money will follow?" It is very important.

In this profession, and right now I'm speaking to my Official friends, we need to remember that the transcript income is gravy. Truly. If you cannot survive on your reporting salary, then you need not be in this job. Transcript income is NOT guaranteed. And if you treat it like it's your own personal slush fund, then you're going to be in trouble. If you're in this "job" for the money, you're in it for the wrong reason.

For instance... let's just say that in our state, in criminal cases we get 65 days to produce transcripts in criminal matters. This is the truth. Now, obviously longer trials will of necessity warrant an extension, perhaps. But here is the thing: If you are getting extensions, the parties in interest are having to wait to proceed in their due process. That is not fair. Especially if you could hire someone - a scopist, a typist, a proofreader - to assist you in meeting deadlines.

Granted, our state rates aren't the best in the country, but they are for work "outside" the confines of the court. "Extra" pay, if you will. Surely, even if you only take in HALF of what you'll be billing, and can meet the deadline, that is a GOOD thing.

The thing we do not want to have happen is have our transcript income taken away from us. If court reporters continue to miss deadlines and push beyond what is expected of them, we could all face the possibility of someone else producing our transcripts. That would be even worse for our pocketbooks than hiring our own help, wouldn't it?

Let's get serious.