Working Iowa: Dire need for court reporters

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) - Nearly all districts across Iowa are short on court reporters. The largest deficit is in district 6 which includes Linn County.

”Both voice writers and stenographic reporters are certified in the state of Iowa to be able to take down 225 words a minute in shorthand,” said Kellee Cortez, District Court Administrator for the Sixth Judicial District.

There’s a specific skill set needed for the job, which includes documenting word for word what happens in courtrooms in case it’s needed in the future.

Sarah Hyatt has been a court reporter for 31 years.

”It’s something I think most people could do. A lot of people say they couldn’t, I think most people could, but it is something that you can’t just pick someone off the street and say here come in and do this,” Hyatt explained.

Right now, there is a dire need for more people to do the job.

“We havie an allotment we’re funded for 20 court reporter positions in our district, and we currently have nine of those filled. So we’re operating at less than 50% staff right now,” Cortez said.

The jobs can take years of education, including literally getting up to speed.

“Most people it takes two and a half or so. It all depends on, it’s kind of self-paced. When you get to that speed in order to be able to pass those tests,” said Cortez.

She says the voice reporting program takes less time, typically 9 months. District 6 has the state’s first voice reporter. She does with her voice what the others do with their hands.

Still, a shortage of court reporters is having significant impacts including delaying trials.

“We stretch them as thin as we can in order to, before we bump cases because we know the impact that that has on litigants, you know, justice delayed is justice denied, and we do our best to work with all the resources that we have in order to not let that happen,” Cortez said.

Those working in the field say the need is so high that new court reporters are nearly guaranteed positions, and with benefits.

“IPERS covered positions, starting salary for a court reporter is in the mid-fifties starting range and go up from there. So I think the continuity of the job, the salary, the benefits of having a government job, and obviously the need is great,” Cortez added.

“It’s important, and it’s something that you know, as a person that has the skill. I appreciate,” said Hyatt.

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