AB 711 claims to curb “reporter waste,” but it’s a paperwork fix for a resource crisis. Mandating disclosure of who will hire a court reporter doesn’t solve shortages, improve access, or strengthen the profession—it risks normalizing hearings without certified stenographers. California needs investment in reporters, not bureaucracy that treats them as optional.
Tag Archives: AB711
AB 711 Passed—But Is It Really a Win? Why This New Law Signals the Next Phase in the Elimination of Certified Court Reporters
When a judge tells attorneys they “don’t need a court reporter”—despite one being present and assigned—the threat to justice becomes undeniable. AB 711 enables this erosion, shifting the burden of preserving the record onto attorneys while courts quietly sideline certified reporters. The result? Trials with no transcript, no appeal, and no accountability. This isn’t modernization. It’s judicial overreach.
AB 711 Passed—But at What Cost? A Closer Look at the Real Consequences for California’s Legal System
AB 711 isn’t a victory—it’s a retreat. By shifting the responsibility of providing court reporters to attorneys, California courts are abandoning their duty to guarantee a fair, accurate record. This law deepens inequality, privatizes access to justice, and accelerates the erosion of the certified reporting profession. When justice depends on who can afford the record, justice is already lost.
STENOIMPERIUM 