Title
Title
Report to the Legislature | Electronic Recording Equipment
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Summary
Summary
Government Code section 69958 requires the Judicial Council to report to the Legislature semiannually on the purchase and lease of any electronic recording equipment that will be used to record superior court proceedings. Government Code 69957(a) allows the purchase and or lease of electronic recording equipment for limited civil, misdemeanor, infraction, and small claims cases. Additionally, Government Code section 69957(c) requires the courts to obtain advance approval from the Judicial Council before purchasing or leasing any such equipment. Approval is subject to the equipment being used only in the manner and for the purposes authorized under this section. During the July 1 through December 31, 2019 reporting period, five courts spent a combined total of $160,937 for equipment or related items.
The Superior Court of Kern County spent $34,800 to purchase electronic recording equipment and software. These purchases, which were approved by Judicial Council staff on March 16, 2019, are for official court records in limited civil, misdemeanor, infraction, and small claims case types. The Superior Court of Los Angeles County spent $36,116 to purchase electronic recording equipment and For the Record (FTR) Gold software. These purchases, approved by Judicial Council staff on April 11, 2019, are for official court records in limited civil and infraction case types. The Superior Court of Orange County spent $44,484 to purchase three FTR Gold hardware and software systems to be used in traffic and misdemeanor case types. These purchases were approved by Judicial Council staff on July 12, 2019. The Superior Court of San Mateo County spent $41,321 to purchase electronic recording equipment and software. These purchases, approved by Judicial Council staff on June 26, 2019, are for official court records in arraignments and pretrials. The Superior Court of Santa Barbara County spent $4,216 to purchase an FTR Reporter Suite 6.2 software license, approved by Judicial Council staff. This software is used for small claims, infractions, misdemeanors, and limited civil case types.