California needs more court reporters, but unions are fighting alternatives, including AI

Ashley Paschen's attempt to secure a restraining order against her ex-husband was thwarted when a San Diego court commissioner dismissed her abuse claims and rejected her video evidence. The ongoing shortage of certified court reporters in California has resulted in more than 1. 7 million civil cases lacking written transcripts since 2023, making appeals nearly unattainable. Nonprofit legal aid organizations have petitioned the California Supreme Court to allow courtroom recordings, claiming the current ban undermines the constitutional right to appeal. Assemblymember Diane Papan's Assembly Bill 882 seeks to temporarily lift the recording ban, providing a solution while the courts work to hire more reporters.

Critics of the bill argue it includes too many restrictions that could limit access to recordings. The Service Employees International Union, which supports the bill, has also urged the court to maintain the ban on recordings. This situation highlights a growing disparity in the legal system, where wealthier individuals can afford private reporters, while others are left without recourse. As the state Supreme Court's ruling looms, the future of courtroom recording technology remains uncertain.