Court reporting is the process which creates and preserves a record of words spoken in court, and when necessary, provides their timely and accurate transcription in the event that an appeal is filed.
Court Reporting
General Information
Administrative Order A-2010-01-E specifies the use of court reporters and the procedures related to electronic recording as well as what steps should be taken if a party wishes to make a record of a court proceeding for which the court does not provide a record.
The Fifth Judicial Circuit’s Court Reporting Services Department is a hybrid model comprised of contractual stenographic reporters and employee digital court reporters.
The contractual stenographic court reporters cover all death penalty cases and grand jury proceedings.
Each county in the Fifth Judicial Circuit has a Digital Court Reporting Department. They cover the following types of proceedings from centralized recording areas:
- felony
- misdemeanor
- traffic court (excluding infractions)
- drug court
- first appearances
- arraignments
- juvenile delinquency
- juvenile dependency
- domestic violence injunctions
- guardianship
- mental health and Baker Act hearings
Additionally, the digital court reporters cover all proceedings presided over by a General Magistrate or Hearing Officer.
Request a Digital CD of Proceedings
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Electronic Court Reporting Contacts
Citrus County
110 North Apopka Avenue
Inverness, FL 34450
Email: citrusecr@circuit5.org
Phone: 352-341-7053
Hernando County
20 North Main Street
Brooksville, FL 34601
Email: hernandoecr@circuit5.org
Phone: 352-754-4164
Lake County
550 W. Main Street
P.O. Box 7800
Tavares, FL 32778
Email: lakeecr@circuit5.org
Phone: 352-253-1612
Marion County
110 N.W. 1st Avenue
Ocala, FL 34475
Email: marionecr@circuit5.org
Phone: 352-401-7850
Sumter County
215 E. McCollum Avenue
Bushnell, FL 33513
Email: sumterecr@circuit5.org
Phone: 352-569-6970
What types of hearings are covered by Digital Court Reporting at State expense?
Felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, first appearances, juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency, domestic violence injunction hearings, criminal traffic, mental health, traffic hearings in front of a magistrate or hearing officer, guardianship, mental health and Baker Act hearings.
What types of hearings are NOT covered by Digital Court Reporting at State expense?
Capital death penalty cases, private adoptions, probate, domestic relations hearings including divorces, mediations, foreclosures, civil and traffic infraction hearings before a Judge.
How do I obtain a CD?
An online copy of the CD Request Form is available. Print and complete all requested information. Then submit the form with payment to the appropriate county’s Electronic Court Reporting Office per instructions on the form. The location and contact information for each county’s ECR Office is listed at the top of this page.
What is the difference between the types of CDs?
A Transcription/PC Version CD is self-executing on personal computers and may be used to review an audio recording of the proceeding. This version includes the annotations (notes) of the Digital Court Reporter such as case name, case number, and events in the proceeding such as when the testimony of witnesses, direct examination, cross-examination, etc. occurs. The PC Version allows the user to select all or specific microphone channels for review of the audio of individual speakers. The user may fast forward or rewind the CD in increments of 10 seconds, 30 seconds, 5 minutes, or 30 minutes, as well as utilize a foot pedal for transcription purposes. The PC Version is the only version available for use by a transcriptionist if a written transcript is desired or preferred.
The Audio Version CD is suggested ONLY if the requester does not have a computer available to play the PC Version CD listed above. Audio Version CDs are limited to use for audio listening only and cannot be used for transcription purposes. Microphone channels cannot be isolated for review of audio of individual speakers and the playback of the Audio Version CD does not provide for incremental advancement or rewind of the audio.
What Rules or Administrative Orders govern Court Reporting?
Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC11-22
Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, Rule 2.535, Court Reporting, and Rule 2.420, Public Access to Judicial Branch Records
Fifth Circuit Administrative Order A-2010-01-C specifies the use of court reporters and the procedures related to electronic recording, as well as what steps should be taken if a party wishes to make a record of a court proceeding for which the court does not provide a record.
Florida Statutes, Chapter 39.0132(3), protects confidential records and restricts releasing copies of proceedings relating to children to specified persons deemed by the court to have proper interest.
Helpful Links
Contract Stenographer and Transcriptionist Application
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