SDSC ADM-317 (New 9/12) POLICY REGARDING NORMAL AVAILABILITY AND UNAVAILABILITY OF OFFICIAL COURT REPORTERS SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO POLICY REGARDING NORMAL AVAILABILITY AND UNAVAILABILITY OF OFFICIAL COURT REPORTERS Local Rules suspended, and availability of court reporters limited. Effective November 1, 2012, existing published local rules, including Local Rule 1.4.5, regarding normal availability of court reporters are suspended pursuant to an order of the Presiding Judge; and in lieu thereof, the following will apply.

Effective November 5, 2012, official court reporters will normally be available in felony criminal cases, family, and juvenile matters during regular court hours. Official court reporters will not normally be available in civil or probate matters. Effective December 28, 2012, official court reporters will not normally be available in family law matters, except Domestic Violence Restraining Order hearings, Contempt hearings, and Request for Order hearings of minutes or less.

The San Diego Superior Court provides verbatim electronic recording services in infraction, misdemeanor, limited civil including unlawful detainers, small claims, and parking citation appeal proceedings. (California Rules of Court, rule 2.952.) Parties may privately arrange for the appointment of a court-approved official court reporter pro tempore without a stipulation, beginning November 5, 2012 for civil and probate matters and December 28, 2012 for family matters.

A list of court-approved certified shorthand reporters, including names and contact information, who can be privately arranged and appointed as an official court reporter pro tempore without stipulation of the parties, will be posted on the court’s website. The court will also post its policies for court reporters to be approved for the list, and for arranging for the appointment of a reporter, on its website.

Parties may privately arrange for the appointment of a reporter not on the court-approved list, by stipulation and order, effective November 5, 2012 for civil and probate matters and December 28, 2012 for family matters. Parties may, by stipulation, arrange for the appointment of a certified shorthand reporter who is not on the court-approved list to serve in a proceeding as an official court reporter pro tempore where an official court reporter is not normally available. The court will also post its policy for arranging for a reporter who is not on the court-approved list, and necessary forms, on its website.

Parties, including those with fee waivers, will be responsible for all fees and costs related to court reporter services arranged under the foregoing provisions. The reporting notes of all certified shorthand reporters are the official records of the court and shall be kept by the reporter taking the notes in a place designated by the court, or, upon order of the court, delivered to the clerk of the court (Gov. Code § 69955(a)). The court’s policy for providing the court with electronic notes will be posted on the court’s website.

All forms, policies, and additional information will be available on the court’s website at www.sdcourt.ca.gov.