A shortage of court reporters prompted the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to announce a change in some of its court hearings.
The Commission announced recently that because of the “ongoing nationwide court reporter shortage” it would use courtroom technology assistance in lieu of a court reporter for some of the “uncontested” hearings held in Oklahoma City. The announcement stated that if a court reporter is requested, one would be provided.
The Commission has five fulll-time court reporters but one of them is retiring soon, according to Trey Davis, a spokesman for the agency. It also employs one part-time report.
“The issue at both OCC and nationally is attrition. Our court reporters are retiring, not leaving for a position at another agency or the private sector,” he explained.
“Ideally, when the oil and gas industry is in full swing, we would have five full-time court reporters in Oklahoma City and two in Tulsa which would reduce stress and overworking a court reporters’ hands.”
The shortage is felt across the U.S. as Davis explained court reporter associations have reportedly been slow to respond to the number of near retirees in their ranks and to recruit students to fill the pending vacancies.