Queens Justice System Faces Shortage Of Court Reporters

QUEENS — A less-than-glamorous but more-than-vital position within the Queens justice system faces an uncertain future because, in all of New York City, just one college program is teaching the necessary skills, Queens resident Karen Santucci tells Patch.

"There's been a decline over the last few years," Santucci said. "Reporters are retiring and there aren't many people going into the program."

Santucci has been a court reporter since the 1980s — back then she feared robots were coming for her job — but decades later she's worried no one is coming for her job at all.

That's why Santucci runs the city's only court reporting program at Plaza College, trying to fill the gap in judicial courts in need of stenographers.

Plaza doesn't charge for the precursor program and will teach the stenotype machine to anyone who's interested. Community outreach is aimed at people unable to find employment after college, high school students, and others.

"They realize they can make a living and that court reporting is the answer," Santucci said.

Court reporters also play a crucial role, documenting the minute detail of the justice system, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said.

“Court reporters are the backbone of the court system,” said Katz.

“Court reporters create the official trial transcript that is essential in jury deliberations, appeals, and other aspects of the trial process.”

This shortage of court reporters isn't a problem in Queens alone. The country is facing a shortage of over 5,500 court reporters as graduates in the field are decreasing, according to the National Court Reporting Association.

Santucci attributes the decline to many factors, including the public perception of court reporting: While many don't know about it, many others assume the job is automated.

Which is too bad, Santucci says, because it's not a bad gig.

“The education we provide prepares students for a rewarding and flexible career, with several avenues that these professionals may pursue," Santucci said.

"The ability to do it from home truly increases the accessibility of the program and the flexibility of this successful and rewarding career.”