Capturing the Record
“On Location”

Court reporting is a demanding profession even under ideal
circumstances. Some people don’t realize that in addition to “normal”
court reporting work, from time to time we’re called on to leave the courtroom,
deposition suite, or hearing room and capture an accurate record from a remote
location.

For example, in a murder trial one of our reporters was
working on, the defense wanted the jurors to view the Sallyport area of the
jail and for one of the jailers to testify about procedures from that location.
In numerous civil or criminal trials, jurors have visited the scene of an
accident or crime and heard testimony from an expert while on location. Occasionally
portions of a video deposition will be taken at the scene of an accident so the
video can be played for the jury, and the parties don’t incur the expense of
transporting jurors and court officials to a scene.

No matter the location, all of that testimony must be taken
down. The same level of accuracy is expected from the reporter on location and
in the conference room.

In a long-running federal court case regarding desegregation
of schools in Arkansas, U.S. District Court Judge D. Price Marshall, Jr. recently
toured three schools at the invitation of one of the attorneys. The judge
is being asked to determine “whether any construction differences at the
[Pulaski County Special School District] schools violate
the district’s desegregation plan, Plan 2000, and related court orders.”

His court reporter, Christi Jacimore, accompanied him, along
with “an entourage of courtroom staffers, school district officials,
architects and attorneys for the different parties in the 35-year-old lawsuit.”Jacimore
was tasked with creating the official record of any testimony from school
district officials and architects given throughout the three school tours.
Fortunately, staff wasn’t expected to dress in courtroom attire that day, but
it had to have been quite a grueling day for a reporter attempting to maintain
order and remind attorneys and witnesses to speak loudly, clearly, and one at a
time while touring school campuses. Hats off to you, Christi Jacimore!

Greater Raleigh Court
Reporting’s staff of experienced court reporters can capture the record
wherever and whenever they’re needed – even on a school campus. Use our easy
online scheduling tool or call 919-586-8011