Application Of Chapter - Shorthand Reporters - Business & Professions - CA

Section § 8015

This law is about setting and keeping standards for shorthand reporters to ensure they are skilled enough to protect the public and litigants, especially when personal freedoms and property rights are involved. These rules became active on June 30, 1996.

This chapter is designed to establish and maintain a standard of competency for those engaged in the practice of shorthand reporting, for the protection of the public, in general, and for the protection of all litigants whose rights to personal freedom and property are affected by the competency of shorthand reporters, in particular.

This section shall become operative on June 30, 1996.

shorthand reporting competency standards public protection

Section § 8016

If you want to work as a shorthand reporter in California, you must have a valid certificate from the board, unless you're a full-time state employee acting as a hearing reporter. Certified shorthand reporters must announce their name and license number at the start of any transcription work, whether they're physically present or working remotely. If working on multiple court cases in one day, providing this information once to the clerk is enough. These rules apply to anyone appointed as an official court reporter after January 1, 1983.

(a) No person shall engage in the practice of shorthand reporting as defined in this chapter, unless that person is the holder of a certificate in full force and effect issued by the board. This section does not apply to a salaried, full-time employee of any department or agency of the state who is employed as a hearing reporter.

(b)

(1) A certified shorthand reporter, whether appearing in person or through the use of remote technology, shall state on the record their full name and license number as each appears on their certificate issued by the board, at the beginning of a proceeding, deposition, or other matter for transcription as described in Section 8017.

(2) If a certified shorthand reporter is to appear for more than one proceeding or hearing on a court calendar, the requirements of paragraph (1) are satisfied if the reporter provides their full name and license number to the clerk prior to the first proceeding or hearing or meets the requirements of paragraph (1) for the first proceeding.

(c) This section shall apply to all persons who are appointed, on and after January 1, 1983, to the position of official reporter or pro tempore official reporter of any court, as defined in the Government Code.

shorthand reporting certificate requirement hearing reporter

Section § 8017

This law explains that shorthand reporting involves creating an exact written or typed record of spoken words from things like court proceedings or depositions, using shorthand symbols or voice writing. However, you don't need a certified shorthand reporter unless another law specifically calls for it.

The practice of shorthand reporting is defined as the making, by means of written symbols or abbreviations in shorthand or machine shorthand writing, or by voice writing, of a verbatim record of any oral court proceeding, deposition, court ordered hearing or arbitration, or proceeding before any grand jury, referee, or court commissioner and the accurate transcription thereof. Nothing in this section shall require the use of a certified shorthand reporter when not otherwise required by law.

shorthand reporting verbatim record voice writing

Section § 8017.5

This law defines two terms: 'voice writer' and 'voice writing.' A 'voice writer' is a certified professional who creates an exact record of a proceeding by speaking into a device that muffles their voice, like a steno mask. 'Voice writing' refers to the process where this technology is used to make an accurate spoken record of what's happening.

For purposes of this article:

(a) “Voice writer” means a certified shorthand reporter that makes a verbatim record or a proceeding using a closed microphone voice dictation silencer, steno mask, or similar device using oral shorthand and voice notes.

(b) “Voice writing” means a verbatim record or a proceeding using a closed microphone voice dictation silencer, steno mask, or similar device using oral shorthand and voice notes made by a certified shorthand reporter.

voice writer shorthand reporter verbatim record

Section § 8018

If you are a person with a valid certificate as a shorthand reporter, you're officially called a 'certified shorthand reporter.' Others can't use this title or any related symbols suggesting they're certified unless they're truly qualified. Using terms like 'court reporter' or 'stenographer' along with shorthand services suggests you're certified, unless specified otherwise in a related section.

A natural person who holds a valid certificate as a shorthand reporter, as provided in this chapter, shall be known as a “certified shorthand reporter.” Except as provided in Section 8043, no other person, entity, firm, or corporation may assume or use the title “certified shorthand reporter,” or the abbreviation “C.S.R.,” or use any words or symbols indicating or tending to indicate that they are, or it is, certified under this chapter. Use of the words “stenographer,” or “reporter,” or of the phrases “court reporter,” “deposition reporter,” “digital reporter,” or “voice writer,” in combination with words or phrases related to the practice of shorthand reporting, as defined in Section 8017, indicates or tends to indicate certification pursuant to this chapter.

certified shorthand reporter C.S.R. shorthand reporter certification

Section § 8019

If you break any rules in this chapter, it's considered a minor crime called a misdemeanor. Also, if you help someone else break these rules or plan to help them break the rules, you're guilty of a misdemeanor too.

A violation of any provision of this chapter is a misdemeanor.

Any person who directly or indirectly assists in or abets the violation of, or conspires to aid or abet in the violation of, any provision of this chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor.

violation misdemeanor assist