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Supreme
Judicial Court Establishes a Study Committee
on Trial Transcripts
Boston,
MA--In an effort
to study means by which the timeliness and accuracy of trial
transcripts may be improved, the Supreme Judicial Court today
announced the members of a new Study Committee on Trial Transcripts.
Supreme
Judicial Court Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall said, “The
accurate and timely recording and transcription of trial proceedings
is crucial to the fair, prompt, and efficient judicial review
of cases. Transcripts
that are unduly delayed or that are incomplete or inaccurate
seriously compromise the delivery of justice at every level
of our court system. I
am grateful to the members for devoting their time to this
new endeavor, which will provide enormous benefit to the courts,
the bar, and the public.”
The Study
Committee, which held its first meeting last week, will review
Massachusetts practices and policies; conduct extensive outreach
and gather information and perspectives from
judges, court personnel, attorneys, providers and users
of court transcription services, and other relevant constituencies;
evaluate current and emerging technologies and their training
components; assess the costs and benefits of alternative or
complementary methods of recording and transcription; and
study the best practices of state and federal courts in the
country. The Study
Committee will submit a report of its findings and recommendations
in six months, following which the report will be made available
for public review and comment.
Appeals
Court Justice Mark V. Green was appointed as chair of the Study
Committee; Supreme Judicial Court Justice Robert J. Cordy serves
as the SJC’s liaison to the committee.
The other committee members are Ashley Ahearn, Appeals
Court Clerk; Attorney Thomas J. Carey, Jr., Attorney Carol Donovan,
Committee for Public Counsel Services; Superior Court Judge
Elizabeth Donovan; Assistant Clerk Francis P. Driscoll, Middlesex
Juvenile Court; Alexander Gray; General Counsel, Administrative
Office of the Trial Court; Attorney John Henn, Foley Hoag LLP;
District Court Judge Stephen S. Ostrach; Robert P. Panneton,
Associate Court Administrator, Superior Court Administrative
Office; Jacqueline Schelfhaudt, Case Manager, Juvenile Court
Administrative Office; Darryl G. Smith, District Court Regional
Coordinator; and Dukes and Plymouth Probate and Family Court
Judge Stephen C. Steinberg.
Sandra Lundy, SJC Administrative Attorney, serves as
staff support to the committee.
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