Remember waiting up to 56 days for a transcript when facing a 21 day filing deadline?
Just as the “horseless carriage” allowed for faster arrivals, the Michigan Supreme Court, State Court Administrative Office, and Michigan Judicial Institute support for using Zoom to record for the Court’s Recorder means that there is no longer any need to wait up 56 days to read the transcript for a verbatim record while facing 21-day filing deadlines: you can now and hear and view the trial court proceeding immediately.
In the past, only those parties who could pay hundreds and thousands of dollars for “rush” transcripts had access to the information that is needed for 21-day motions for reconsideration, 21-day objections to referee recommendations, and other deadlines for establishing the record prior to appeal. Zoom now increases access to appellate justice.
The Court’s Record in the Zoom Era
When the Court’s Recorder uses Zoom to record hearings, all parties are now able prepare for 21-day deadlines for motions for reconsideration and hearings de novo. The lower court record can be reviewed immediately.
It’s Easy and It’s Already Happening
If you are still waiting up to 56 days and paying hundreds of dollars to review a verbatim record of a trial court proceeding, the click here: See how today, in Michigan’s 9th Judicial Circuit, trial counsel and in pro per litigants can obtain a verbatim copy of their public proceeding within 48 hours for $20.
Need a Source of Authority? (*see below).
*For the Record: The Michigan Supreme Court, State Court Administrative Office, and the Michigan Judicial Institute support “Using Zoom to Record for the Court’s Recorder”
As authorized by the Michigan Supreme Court, and in the words of the State Court Administrative Office, “for purposes of generating a transcript, courts may use the recording of a remote proceeding generated using Zoom or another remote meeting service provider. MCR 8.109(A) authorizes courts to use audio and video recording equipment for making a record of court proceedings; however, it must comply with the Michigan Trial Court Standards for Courtroom Technology. The audio or video recording that is created pursuant to MCR 8.109(A) is the recording from which a transcript can be produced. For those courts using Zoom to conduct and record a remote proceeding, the generated recording is an MP4 format that complies with the Michigan Trial Court Standards for Courtroom Technology.” See SACO’s Michigan Trial Courts Virtual Courtroom Standards and Guidelines (https://courts.michigan.gov/News-Events/covid19-resources/Documents/VCR_stds.pdf).
For more information from the Michigan Supreme Court on “Using Zoom and Providing Public Access to Court Proceedings”, click here: https://courts.michigan.gov/News-Events/covid19-resources/Pages/VCR.aspx.
