NCJ Number
78622
Journal
State Court Journal Volume: 5 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1981) Pages: 27-33
Date Published
1981
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article summarizes the findings of a study evaluating the use of computer-aided transcription (CAT) in the courts. It describes the functioning and applications of CAT and discusses the considerations important in deciding to install a CAT system.
Abstract
As case volume grows, many courts are finding it difficult to prevent delays caused by time-consuming manual preparation of transcripts. CAT has the potential to reduce the involvement of court reporters to the original note-taking and a one-edit cycle, thus relieving them of the tedious tasks of reading, translating, dictating, editing, and typing transcripts. Five CAT vendors currently offer operational systems of two basic types -- user controlled or vendor controlled. It is estimated that approximately 120 sites with CAT systems are already directly or indirectly involved in the production of official court transcripts. The advantages resulting from CAT system use are cost savings, time savings, and intangible benefits. Whether a CAT system is a cost beneficial investment for a court will be determined by how its use is integrated into a particular court's management strategies, including managing court reporting resources and services. The CAT systems in State courts were found not to be operating at the maximum achievable by the technology. The commitment of a court's reporters to a successful CAT operation is perhaps the major requirement for efficient CAT system utilization. Tabular data and notes are provided.