Los Angeles County Court Reporters Ass'n v. Superior Court

On February 2, 1993, cross-appellants and respondents the Los Angeles County Court Reporters Association and the Los Angeles County Employees Association, Local 660 (collectively the association), filed a petition for writ of mandate in the Los Angeles Superior Court naming appellant and cross-respondent the Los Angeles County Superior Court (the court) as defendant. The petition challenged the court’s practice of using electronic recording devices rather than certified court reporters to make a record of general civil proceedings where neither the assigned judge nor the parties requested that an official shorthand reporter record the proceedings. The association sought an order compelling the court to cease using such electronic recording in those Los Angeles County courtrooms which were not among the 35 courtrooms included in the then existing “demonstration project” authorized by Code of Civil Procedure section 270. The association alleged that the use of electronic recording in lieu of official court reporters violated numerous statutory provisions. The petition was supported by a declaration and attached exhibits.

On March 19, 1993, the court filed a return to the…