COURT REPORTING

Facts and figures about court
reporters in southwest Ohio:

Hamilton County Commissioner Pat DeWine wants to replace the county’s 41 court reporters, which he says cost
$2.2 million a year.

Starting salary for court reporters is $37,635. The top salary is $46,719.

Under Dewine’s proposal, court reporters would be replaced by audio recording systems, which cost about $60,000 per courtroom.

Commissioners are trying to save money as they deal with a projected $30 million budget deficit for 2008.

Neighboring Warren, Clermont and Butler counties in Ohio and Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties in northern Kentucky already use audio or video recording equipment, or a blend of technology and live court reporters.

Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer