Statewide shortage of courtroom reporters calls for change

From Boise to southeast Idaho, courtrooms across the state are seeing challenges.

Administrative Director of the Idaho Supreme Court Sara Thomas confirms there is a massive shortage of court reporters statewide.

In southeast Idaho, this issue continues to make challenges in the courtroom; however, those at the top are pushing for changes to get more qualified applicants to fill these positions.

Courtroom reporters provide critical court transcripts that otherwise would result in a denial of due process. Each judge expected to have a court reporter assigned to their districts. So far, the 6th district of southeast Idaho has two judges, both looking for certified courtroom reporters of their own.

The significant shortage or court reporters has pushed the Idaho Supreme Court to request increase compensation to boost recruitment. However, if vacancies are not filled, southeast Idaho will be the first to feel its impact.

“Southeast Idaho really is a part of the issue here,” said Thomas.” We have vacancies in the 6th district and in the 7th district that we cannot fill. They’re really going to feel this. It’s going to be harder for us to schedule court hearings. In the seventh judicial district. So this is an issue that southeast Idaho is going to feel first.”