In re M.C. CA5

DISCUSSION

I. The Right to an Official Court Reporter

M.C. argues the juvenile court was required to provide her with a court reporter. She contends the court’s failure to provide her with a proper transcript is prejudicial per se, requiring the orders be set aside, or in the alternative, the matter remanded for the creation of a settled record. The People agree that the juvenile court erred because it was required to provide M.C. with an official court reporter. However, the People maintain the error was harmless because M.C. was given a transcript of the electronically recorded hearings. We agree with the People.

The facts of the underlying offense are taken from the probation report.

3. A. Additional Background On September 26, 2024, M.C. appeared in juvenile court for DEJ review after the court issued a bench warrant because she ran away from home and violated other rules. The court advised the parties as follows:

“Pursuant to [S]tanding [O]rder [No.] 2024-03, there is no longer a court reporter assigned to juvenile delinquency proceedings [by order of the presiding judge of the Merced County Superior Court]. All proceedings will be electronically recorded.”3…