NCRA opposes controversial amendments in North Dakota courts

On December 5, 2024, the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) publicly addressed concerns regarding a memo from the North Dakota State Court Administrator. This memo, dated November 20, 2024, proposed various amendments aimed at eliminating court reporters in the state's judiciary. The NCRA, which represents stenographic court reporters, captioners, and legal videographers, expressed its strong opposition to these changes, highlighting that such amendments threaten not only the employment of court reporters but also jeopardize the integrity of the judicial system itself. NCRA President Keith R. Lemons emphasized the importance of court reporters adhering to ethics of neutrality and confidentiality—core values essential for maintaining judicial integrity. The organization's grassroot campaign aims to mobilize over 12,000 members to counteract misinformation within the proposed amendments to Policy 206. As noted by NCRA Executive Director Dave Wenhold, the implications of these amendments stretch beyond the profession, threatening the accuracy and transparency of judicial outcomes in North Dakota. The court reporting profession, which does not typically require a four-year degree, is also noted for its projected employment growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, it is one of the fastest-growing fields. The NCRA believes that outsourcing the court reporting function could harm the confidential nature of sensitive legal documents and proceedings, thus impacting citizens' rights to fair trials. Colin Brehm, the NCRA State Government Relations Manager, raised alarm over the possibility of making official court records susceptible to compromise. He warned that with the proposed changes, records from trials would be treated similarly to commodities, risking their reliability. The NCRA's efforts include inviting public awareness and action to advocate for court reporters through their Advocacy Action Center. They also offer an educational program, NCRA A to Z® Intro to Steno Machine Shorthand, to introduce potential new professionals to the career opportunities within court reporting and captioning. The ongoing situation in North Dakota highlights tensions between cost-cutting measures in judicial processes and a commitment to maintaining high standards in the legal profession.