Officials with the City of Eureka will be allowed to give sworn testimony outside the presence of reporters after a ruling this morning in Humboldt County Superior Court.
Judge John Feeney partially granted a request for a protective order that stops non-parties from attending depositions in the harassment case filed against the City of Eureka by former city employee Tawnie Hansen.
The move for a protective order followed attempts by Times-Standard reporter Thadeus Greenson to attend the depositions of city officials. The city halted the testimony of Mayor Virginia Bass to seek the protective order in January.
But today’s ruling wasn’t a total win for the city. Judge Feeney denied the city’s request for all transcripts to be deemed confidential, which opens the door for non-parties to obtain transcripts of the depositions. However, those transcripts will be expensive, and it remains to be seen whether the T-S will foot the bill for such investigative journalism despite vocal support by T-S readers.
feeney, typical.
If TS won’t pay for the transcripts we could donate to a fund to pay for them. I’m in!
Depositions are often a bargaining tool in determining dollar awards in confidential settlements.
An American tradition that entrenches power through “plausible deniability” of wrongdoing, ensuring little will change in bureaucratic tyrannies.
Let them eat cake…
No one has yet explained why these depositions are happening in a court room setting. I have never heard of this before.
This guy holds elected office, right? Let’s remember his name at the ballot box. Officials opposed to transparency in government should not be among our decision makers.
They’re not happening in a courtroom. The judge isn’t there but lawyers and a court reporter are, as is typical.
See how the system uses money and finances as a blockade – obstructionism using public funds, ouch!
Remember that time – blah, blah about paying into a fund to out bloggers, blah, blah –
P.J. – what is the difference this “go around” besides openly being known as public officials, just curious?
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
They are public employees, Jeff. Their employers have a right to know what they are up to.
P.J.,
fair call to suggest public officals are public employees if you mean by “employers” = “The People”!!!
Now, what if an anonymous moniker or other distinct nametag is too a public employee? Does this deserve equal applications and protections as well for donating to a fund for transcript purposes? Again, curious evolutionary question, that’s all.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Are they accused of wrongdoing in the workplace, Jeff?
Don’t lay the blame on Judge Feeney, his ruling was expected. Judges are by nature conservative and it was a long, long shot that he would rule to overturn a long history of private depositions regardless of the litigants. The judge stuck with case law and precedent and although I would have loved to have seen public depositions we’re not talking an egregious case of judicial abuse here, or even a mild one.
The city of Eureka’s arguments as presented by Adrienne Moran were pretty laughable, however, including her argument that because of comments left on blogs (like this one, in fact I think she specifically cited an anonymous commenter from here) the public was “going to storm the depositions.” So put down those pitchforks, citizens, extinguish those torches, you’re scaring poor Mrs. Moran. Oh, and the old standby about tainting a jury pool was also trotted out by Moran, an argument that was quickly debunked by Goldberg and the lawyer for the first amendment coalition.
I have a lot of respect for John Feeney. I am confident he had good reasons for this, legal or otherwise.
P.J.,
As if it is easy to identify unidentifiable sources to understand whether or not misconducts are taking place while at work or at the workplace.
Could it depend on if the public employee’s accuser is a blog reader who does not have access to transparent personal information like a “real name” in order to be able to make a “direct and legal accusation” for wrongdoings of a public employee while in the workplace or while representing the workplace through labor laws and wages, but not necessarily by subordinate duty or action at the time of blogging?
Question may be this ; what is considered as an “extension” of the work place. Blogging is an extension of the public workplace when public workers utilize the medium.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
I think this is a net loss for the city, with this ruling in the end the truth will come out. Sure a reporter won’t be sitting there but they will be able to comb through the depositions.
So I would say to the Mayor, be afraid be very afraid!
It would appear the City will not be able to postpone the Mayor’s deposition until after the election. I would have to agree….be afraid
The real questions are:
1. When will it be available?
2. How much will it cost?
My understanding is they will be available in the regular amount of time it takes the court reporter to finalize them, so a matter of a few weeks after each deposition.
Apparently some things are confidential based on an earlier procedure in the case.
Look for more in tomorrow’s T-S.
I don’t understand what you are asking, Jeff. If public employees are allowed to use the office computers and internet for personal use, what’s the problem? If it doesn’t interfere with the people’s business, who cares? If they were using confidential information obtained due to their job to harm a blog reader or colleague, that’s a different matter.
Jeff appears to be comparing pumpkins and bananas.
I wonder what the new Council will think of Mr. Tyson when all of his dirty laundry is aired….wonder if he will still have a job?
I haven’t really been following this case. What exactly is the plaintiff claiming was done to her, and who is she claiming did it?
Here’s some background:
MASSIVE LAWSUIT TARGETS EUREKA, CITY MANAGER
City Mgr. Dave Tyson was later dismissed from the case.
Here’s more:
‘Global Investigation’ expensive
But before the current lawsuit there was this one: Eureka Police Blog spawns lawsuit.
That case was settled for $10,000 which appears to bolster the plaintiff’s current case against the city.
The city must hate that Wilson settled…equals…GUILTY!
A public trial would have been worse for the city. But it certainly makes Hansen’s case look good.
Wilson probably got off cheap. Her blog was disgusting.
I apologize, Heraldo, for not having followed your links. Let me ask, anyway, whether this concern about blogs has anything to do with that horrid online rag, operated by disaffected members of the EPD who used to refer to the current Chief of Police as “Garfish?”
You’re probably right, Jane. Her legal fees would have exceeded $10,000 after going to trial and losing the case.
Yes, Anonymous. That’s the blog that started this hot mess.
Interesting…the T/S does not show this a breaking news. I think it should be.
That blog was sordid and disgusting. I cannot believe professional, mature people, who are supposed to be mentally balanced, operate in such a malignant way.
The T-S has more to do than just report this story. They have to decide how to proceed.
You are right Heraldo. Lots of big decisions to make.
I only wish that Hansen’s judgment came out of the pockets of those who harmed her, not the taxpayers.
Whether depositions are private or not, stuff like this has a way of getting out. Hansen has no interest in keeping anything private, yet. And if she is required to in a settlement, the city council might be inclined to do some housecleaning. Also madam mayor would be lucky to hold office again. Either way it’s going to be an embarassment for the city.
Wow. What a tangled web.
I do remember that the AbovetheLaw blog was a reeking cesspool of nasty gossip, crude insinuations and ourtright libel.
It will be interesting to see how this lawsuit plays out. Once again, I’m glad to NOT be a Eureka resident or taxpayer. I wonder how much money this whole episode will end up costing the taxpayers.
If the plaintiff wins a substantial sum, I sure hope that heads roll down at City Hall. It sure would suck if the taxpayers pay out the judgement, but the perpetrators end up keeping their jobs.
So, the court decision went in Hansen’s favor? She is blameless?
The case against DeeDee Wilson was settled out of court. However you spin it, Hansen is not at fault for her co-workers libelous behavior.
Disturbing to think that many of the contributors to the AbovetheLaw blog were apparently Eureka cops and their cronies. When I read that blog and I realized that some of the lowlifes posting there were armed with guns and badges, and payed by the taxpayers, it made me sick. Apparently the same kind of malignancy extended to City Hall employees as well.
Should have said “…to SOME City Hall employees as well.”
Would you want to be her?
Yes some of those responsible for the blog WERE city employees, but some still ARE.
Names?
The case would move forward against other defendants if the other names were known for sure.
Oh, I see.
Back on earth 2;48. Spot on comment. We the public are again left high and dry with no information to make reasonable decisions about our public officials. With no accountability, they get a pass on the use or misuse of government power. I sure hope the TS will be willing to uphold the ‘freedom of information’ concept. It is too bad that “free” is not implied in the word ‘freedom’.
“When I read that blog and I realized that some of the lowlifes posting there were armed with guns and badges”
Absolutely! It’s really scary to think about such viciously cruel people having that sort of power.
I will contribute and I know a few people that
would very much like to contribute. If the amount
is significant, a bank account may be in order. Please keep us posted.
It is interesting that Wilson’s (and her few, whining, sniveling malcontents, and perverted cohort’s) Above the Law blog was allowed to play out for so many, many agonizing months to discredit the reputations of both Nielsen and Hansen for so long without City Manager action being taken to shut it down. (It may have caused their marriagaes irreprehensible damgage, let alone their careers!)But then, as soon as Tyson was targeted on Heraldo for his many indiscretions, how quickly the access to Humboldt Heraldo that Euraka City Employees had that blog site was turned off to them. (wouldn’t want to screw up anyone else’s so pristine life, when it became uncomforable!)
I was just wondering what that could mean? Is one city employee more expendable than another? Is good old friends better at keeping jobs than others, regardless of your loyalty and honesty, or is it proven loyalty over the years a better judge?
Is it who you know and who you can screw over more important than quality of integrity? They City has its job cut out for it. Geesh! The public is looking for these answers.
“irreprehensible damgage”
Heaven forfend!
But perhaps you meant “irreversible damage?”
Or “irreperable damage?”
Oh crap…I think I meant it all!
Irreprehensible – irreparable and reprehensible…
I like it. Or maybe repreparable, but that’s more difficult to say.
Does anyone know what Wilson is doing these days? Last I heard she was teaching ethics at the C/R dispatch academy. Talk about messed up!
Heard she was going to be hired by some agency south of here, then they heard about the lawsuit. Worked for Arcata awhile. Whatever she is doing it probably doesn’t pay as much as she was making here after the chief promoted her. Should have shut up and got with the program, but couldn’t manage that. Really good example of karma.
Baloney. Remember this decision come election time. Hold judges accountable to the electorate when they side with secrecy.
Oh no; the Larry Glass/Garr Nielsen circle-jerk has its panties in a twist!
whatever that means
I wonder how comfortable Tyson’s chair is right about now? So far the suit just won’t go away. If the city settles this out of court, will we ever get to know the facts? I would hope so, but am not holding my breath. Speaking of breath, wouldn’t it be nice to have a breath of fresh air at 531 K?
Hasn’t Hansen’s attorney fled the state? It’s almost enough to make you think lawyers can feel shame.
Tyson was originally removed from the suit but I think the judge just reopened the matter so he may be back on the hotseat. Should be a fun summer.
I’ll contribute to the “Transcript Fund” if it comes to that. I wanna know!
Not sure what article 8:10 read, but sure wasn’t this one. There are plenty of people who have their panties in a bunch but most of them are at 531 K or old time EPD dinosaurs who long ago lost all credibility. There is a victim of a hostile work environment that was initiated by an EPD employee and perpetuated by city employees. The city failed to protect the employee and is probably liable for allowing the outrageous behavior to continue for so long. Despite efforts to demonize the victim(a tactic which probably won’t even fly in Humbdt County and is an insult to women), the truth is that no employer should allow their employees to be treated in such a fashion in this day and age. When the transcripts of the depositions are made public people will be shocked by the shenanigans which have created an environment where it is acceptable to objectify women, where personal relationships interfered with professional judgement, and a blind eye was turned to egregious behavior which was witnessed by many people.
Hansen’s attorney has a residence in another state where he intends ro retire. He has a long and distingushed career and is regarded as one of the most ethical lawyers In the area.
Hansen’s lawyer has a residence in another state in which he intends to retire. He has a long and idstingushed career in California and is regarded as one of the most ethical lawyers in the area.
Sexual misbehavior on the part of the current mayor and the city manager is not a big deal except she is running for another office. Some people may not like that.
But the ham-handed attempt by the city manager to misdirect the investigation into Wilson’s misbehavior is another matter.
Early retirement coming up?
P.J. @ 5:03 pm and H @ 5:05 pm,
as if work and play are the same thing, cmon fruitcakes.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Sexual misbehavior by the city manager and the mayor not a big deal? You have got to be kidding me.
Hmmm,
who goes to church?
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Jeff, people get breaks at work and they often have time when they are tied to their desks with nothing to do like being on hold, etc. Why would you care if a city employee reads and writes on blogs from city hall? Is it because you don’t like what they blog or because they may be doing it from city hall or both? Would you prefer they play internet poker or look at porn?
This shit is just as bad as the slime hurled at the thankfully defunt above the law blog.
C’mon P.J.,
work and play are different. Public employment and personal vices are different. Yet, when done on “public property”, there is no “my computer” excuse to fall back on!
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Right, Jeff. There is just the “first amendment” to fall back on. Furthermore, you have no evidence that any “anonymous” is blogging or posting on blogs on “public property” or whose computer they are using to do it. A major difference between this blog and “Above The Law” is that this blog isn’t creating a hostile work environment for co-workers. Public figures, especially those who run for elected office, don’t have the same protections in the work place or the courts as John or Jane Doe civil servant.
You see how speculation gets up a head of steam when the truth has not been made public. If there ever was a time for disclosure, this would be it.
P.J.,
around the bend, you responded @ 5:03 pm earlier?
Do you want to start over and try to communicate straightforward?
Here we go then back to 5:03 pm – IF I was a public employee, the only thing on any “public maintained” computer being done is public work. Additionally, I believe that most public employees are generally good people and don’t fit the bill of someone to need to worry about with regard to sentence #2 or #3 or #4 in your 5:03 pm response. Yet, certain things are happening in the new tech reality where sentence #2, #3 & #4 do apply in the most adverse way, even if in a small town setting (if/if not reversal). So, we agree then on sentences #3 & #4, but not sentence #2 @ 5:03 pm?
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Hey, what a great strategy. “Yes, you can have the records, as per the freedom of information act. Here they are. That comes to $36,462.”
Why do we have to pay so much, for what should cost next to nothing? We should never have to pay so much. These charges are outrageous. Our freedom is dead if we allow this to continue. I’ve done my own research in to the BT lawsuit, you get charged for every webpage, and document page you pull up.
It’s kinda funny reading this – AboveTheLaw posted all kinds of accusations, anonymous commenters, doing exactly what is happening here – only your target is Tyson, and all the rumors swirling and he said she said’s about Tyson, exactly the same thing as AboveTheLaw did. Salivating over court transcripts and joyfully speculating about all the smarmy details –
I’m not seeing the difference.
Just reading upthread – We don’t know if this blog is creating a hostile work environment for co-worker, or not.
It is entirely possible that it does. It is entirely possible that “heraldo” works for the City of Eureka. Maybe even with Dave Tyson.
There are lots of things that are possible but that doesn’t make them factual. Speculating on where an anonymous person works in order to make them “guilty” of creating a hostile work environment for the city manager is hilarious, but not unexpected given the nature of the people doing the speculating. Furthermore, I’ve seen some pretty nasty stuff written about Gallegos on Rose’s blog by anonymous people who work in the DA’s office and the courts, but she doesn’t hold herself to the same standards she has for blogs she hates but can’t stay away from. In fact, I would say that Rose’s blog is much more like “Above The Law” with its obsession for smearing Gallegos.
Jeff, if you want a response you need to write in a straightforward manner without your incomprehensible riddles. I don’t care enough about your issue to go back and count sentences to see WTF you are talking about.
“Hey, what a great strategy. “Yes, you can have the records, as per the freedom of information act. Here they are. That comes to $36,462.”
For some odd reason, court reporters “own” the transcripts and are paid for every copy requested. I’ve heard it can amount to quite a large residual in some cases. It’s odd to me because they are just transcribing other people’s words, not creating something that should have copyright protection.
first, they are independent contractors transcribing the deposition in real time. they don’t own the words, but they certainly own their work. they are getting paid for the service of producing the transcript and certifying it is true and correct. i suppose if you want the short hand version, they would give you a deal, jane. i think the rates are set by the state and it is per page.
So, 6:57, what do you charge per page?
How many times should they be paid for that work, 6:57? Their rates exceed what the state allows for copying records in any other industry which is all they do after the first transcript is supplied. Custodians of Records also certify that the copy is true and correct. I understand they are allowed to do so, but it is still an odd practice.
Repeating the smears that led to the lawsuit isn’t a good idea, End. Heraldo should delete your post and ban you.
LMAO! End’s post was gone by the time I clicked submit.
P.J. @ 4:35,
That is a crackpot response you opined – I mean really, dumb.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
In The End was “Off the End!” He/she/it was just repeating the debunked charges made against the Chief by the “GOBs” who didn’t like him making changes.
There’s an old saying that if you put a lie on paper, it never dies, regardless of how ridiculous it is.
I hope the $36K figure above for transcripts was just an exageration for effect. Anyone know the real rate?
The court reporters just have a sweet deal. The courts should use tape recorders, like the rest of the world.
Contractors could compete to provide the court with transcriptions of the official tape.
It won’t happen as long as court reporters fight losing money more than taxpayers want not to see it wasted. It’s that way in many, many situations.
69950. (a) The fee for transcription for original ribbon or printed
copy is eighty-five cents ($0.85) for each 100 words, and for each
copy purchased at the same time by the court, party, or other person
purchasing the original, fifteen cents ($0.15) for each 100 words.
(b) The fee for a first copy to any court, party, or other person
who does not simultaneously purchase the original shall be twenty
cents ($0.20) for each 100 words, and for each additional copy,
purchased at the same time, fifteen cents ($0.15) for each 100 words.
69951. For transcription, in civil cases, the reporter may charge
an additional 50 percent for special daily copy service.
That works out to approx $3 to $4 a page depending on the formatting used, excluding any special fees.
Mitch, many courts are going to electronic recording and video taping which provides a more trustworthy record than a court reporter and is considerably cheaper for all concerned. These tapes still have to be transcribed, but don’t require the presence of a transcriptionist during the proceeding.
Even if depos and hearings were taped someone would still have to transcribe them.
Jinx!
Heraldo,
Yes, but the cost of transcription could be MUCH lower.
And (I know you’ll hate this) computer systems could do phonetic transcriptions that would accurately reflect the phonemes uttered, as opposed to the words that the reporter thought they heard. The phonetic transcriptions would be just as searchable as existing transcriptions, very inexpensive, immediately available, and more accurate.
Someone is going to get the mistaken idea that we are communicating off the blog, Heraldo.
unless software with voice-write recognition is used to do the work “hands-free” and in lightning quick fashion by merely a pdf. file(or other file type) to a word document or some other doc. file.
No, this is more about wasting other people’s money to fund the employment of a service (job creations and money redistributions) that benefits and subsidizes those involved with the legal system – ie. a teir of government.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Transcription fees are usually in the neighborhood of 0.15 per 65 character line which is considerably cheaper than a court reporter who is paid for appearance plus page rate.
* page rate for every copy provided.
Maybe things have progressed but last I checked voice recognition software had to “learn” each speakers dialect.
I think it is sounds and syllables now, but it would be worth the research and eventual investment.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Things haven’t progressed. While court reporters transcribe exactly what is said without correcting grammar or deleting verbal corrections, transcriptionists in other fields must edit as they type since most people can’t dictate perfectly, a big problem with voice recognition transcripts, and they still have to be edited after the fact.
Software will not cut it yet.
Absolutley accurate with regard to each individual and how they may or may not speak well or clearly; but, a file is still on record in digital form that can BE COMPARED to any “lingual corrections”.
Additionally, it is not to say that there is only one person in the whole wide world who could be able to understand and transcribe these corrections from digital voice to “long form” via file recoveries and conversions. So, to doctor a archived digital tape due to indiscretions while re-transcribing a “known peice of evidence” is rather self-inflicting. In fact, I am sure the T-S would have NO PROBLEMS doing the re-transcribing from a digital file attainable through an internet connection to long form paper – and, for unbillable time!
Where there is a will, there is a way. Let’s encourage the further research and known benefits of technology!
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
I think you’re missing the point if you think software won’t cut it. If the goal is to provide clean English from an unspecified set of speakers, yes, software isn’t there yet. But if the goal is to provide a searchable record of the actual syllables uttered, that can take a viewer directly to a point in a taped proceeding, the software is very much there.
Mitch,
Good point.
If you can’t type, take a look at this
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
Is true that Eureka’s briefing in this matter included print outs of this blog, saying it was proof the jury pool would be contaminated?
Herados Y Heradas your power grows. The powerful quiver and the menttion of your names.
So are you saying Eureka is using one of Tawnie’s weapons (the blog) in saying the jury pool is tainted? That’s interesting, because that would be admitting it was widely read, was damaging, was obviously contributed to by EPD employees and was out there a long time. Wouldn’t that be like proving her case for her?
Good point, anon.
In the interest of full disclosure; I totally made up that number.
Also, I’m thinking Heraldo knows a lot about how things work at the courthouse.
So you don’t think I’m Paul Gallegos?
so, the deposition is not being entered into the public record, and not subject to FOIA requests?
You are Popeye. But seriously, your anonymity will not last. I’m sure you know that.
But you already know my philosophy:
Anonymity-Posters; yes, Hosters; no.
In my humble opinion, of course.
Let me know when you release your humble rule book for bloggers.
Rule #1: You shouldn’t be able to lob insults and allegations from behind a cloak of anonymity.
Rule #2: There’s no such thing as anonymous journalism. Journalists risk a lot to write their articles.
Rule #3: (see Rule #2)
Compliance is voluntary, for now.
You will be assimilated; resistance is futile.
Did the real Publius write the Federalist Papers?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federalist_Papers
http://onlinejournalismblog.com/2009/10/23/in-defence-of-principled-anonymous-blogging/
Well said moviedad. I could not agree more.
Heraldo is just as guilty of allowing the same venom-spewing crap here as on the thanfully defunct above the law blog. Perhaps Heraldo, whoever he/she/they is(are) will be making a Dee-Dee Wilson payout one of these days.
DeeDee’s problem wasn’t just a blog. She used flower deliveries and other forms of harassment to create a toxic work environment.
And if it makes you feel any better, a lot of venom-spewing is deleted from the Herald.
It does make me feel better, believe it or not; it just amazes me that there are those on this thread and others who have no problem at all making the same kind of sick unsubstantiated claims that others were making at the good ole boy abtl blog.
Unfortunately, there are full grown adults who delight in indulging in blog talk about the sex lives of certain public officials. I could care less and have nixed many comments on the matter.
But now some of those allegations are part of a lawsuit, which puts it in the realm of public interest. Above the Law made up middle-school-style gossip, posted it on a blog and beyond that, sent flowers and gifts purporting to be from one of the gossipees.
Hey I don’t remember anyone talking about DD’s sex life on here (did she even have one?) And yhy would Heraldo have to pay out if all anyone ever said was the truth about her
Just seems to me Jeff Lytle, if you have a 9 – 5 job you are posting from work, or you do not have a job at all…just opinions. Keep us informed.
No, this is more about wasting other people’s money to fund the employment of a service (job creations and money redistributions) that benefits and subsidizes those involved with the legal system – ie. a teir of government.
I will believe that when I can say “call home” to my phone and do not get “Did you say Call Rome? Call Joan? Call Sloan?”
I’m sure it only gets better with legal, medical, accounting, and other industry specific jargon.
You guys just like tearing people apart. The audacity of those court reporters to charge for their work! I’m sure you all do whatever it is you do for free.
Exactly. And a court reporter can stop a person and ask them to repeat themselves or spell confusing words. It’s a service a machine can’t provide.
The Court knew that the T-S would FAIL on the reporting and they knew that for some reason many of us actually read that piece of trash and the jury pool would be drastically more “tainted” than it already is.
I mean, have you seen how ridiculous the thing has been the last couple years? It gets worse and worse each day. It’s painfully obvious that the reporters are illiterate slackers and their layout staff is blind. Their advertising staff thinks that Customer Service means that you pay too much for rudeness and a garbage product. It would be amazingly easy for We The People to come up with something a hundred times better.
The T-S wants access to those proceedings very badly not because the story has significance but because they know its potentially juicy contents will Sell Papers. And what’s important to reporters these days is the Bottom Line, not Ethical Journalism.
In today’s journalism world, ethics are Old School.
How many times does a court reporter stop a person? Sorry, but paying them to show up, and again on a per page basis, as though they are a author of a novel, doesn’t cut it. They should be paid once, and transcripts opened up for the public.
Exactly. And a court reporter can stop a person and ask them to repeat themselves or spell confusing words. It’s a service a machine can’t provide.
I have to put this on my calender, I agree with Heraldo.
Cap, the transcripts are available for public. They just have to pay for them.
And if they can’t afford it? What happens when the newspapers die out? Are we to hope for rich bloggers? It takes time and money to research this. Researching the balloon track lawsuit took money, even to pull up pages that weren’t much use.
Maybe we should also have rich court workers so they can donate their services, some of which can’t be replicated with a machine.
Court reporters don’t have to worry about correct spelling or grammar during the procedure. They transcribe their machine notes after the fact. Court reporters, like everyone else, should be paid for their work and should be compensated for their time and a charge per page for copies requested. Reasonable charges, not several dollars a page.
what if the court reporter can’t afford to give them away to every fool looking for dirt?
according to my wife, a court reporter, jane does not know what she is talking about and it is a waste of my time to even write this. the software alone is $5k, plus the machine and computers, etc. each time that stuff is used, it is legitimate to charge for her time, materials, and the pro-rata share for the use of the software, computer, and printer.
and for the record, the last free transcript she did was for a child molester with a life sentence who was appealing his case and acting as his own attorney. she forwarded the documents through the court system and elected not to bill him since he has no way to pay and there is a fund set up via the taxpayers to pay for situations like that and she felt the state was already wasting enough on this scumbag. call it our little contribution to ca.
Nice overlooking what I said H. They should get paid like any other job. I’m not asking them to work for free. Sheesh. I’m asking that the public not have to pay twice. Have you done your own research H? If you have, you’ll note the cost to retrieve such documents, quickly adds up.
8:50 since you have someone in the field. Why do we have to pay, to access public documents, even from a website?
Are the court reporters salaried or are the freelance?
As noted in the post, Cap, transcripts are expensive. That’s why I brought it up.
Does Moviedad think that a pen name is somehow different then anonymous?
H. I know, that is why I’m unclear why you went off on me, like I wanted them to work for free.
Furthermore, I’ve seen some pretty nasty stuff written about Gallegos on Rose’s blog by anonymous people who work in the DA’s office and the courts, but she doesn’t hold herself to the same standards she has for blogs she hates but can’t stay away from. In fact, I would say that Rose’s blog is much more like “Above The Law” with its obsession for smearing Gallegos.
Rose has been crying to Kevin Hoover and others about folks who have posted on the blogs about Allison Jackson’s sobriety issues, while she not only keeps posting that say worse about Gallegos on her blog, she even FEATURES them on the home page (left side column)!
But just like the old guard standards that Gallegos’ challengers want to return Humboldt to, the same rules should not apply to them, as they feel they should to the rest of us. Before Gallegos, cops and elected officials and their families were seldom if ever brought up on charges. Drunk wife driven home and never charged (SoHum Sup) cop who fired shots into a party allowed to join the military, rather then face charges (EPD officer) and the list goes on and on.
Allison Jackson even supported Blue Lake Chief Gunderson and tried to help his defense, based on some “thin blue line” theory. I bet most honest cops were glad to see that guy go down, as bad apples like Dave give all the good cops (and most of them are) a bad name.
5:50 pm,
I would agree that corporate America does do the same thing.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
She supported Gundersen? Yikes.
Her support may not have been public, but she is alleged to have made efforts to subvert the testimony of his accusers.
Way to misunderstand, 8:50. No where did I say they shouldn’t be paid for their work. But once the work is done and they have been paid for it by the involved parties, additional copies requested should be provided for a REASONABLE COST, not the same price they charged for the originals to the attorneys and courts. The amount the government allows for copying of medical records they request would be reasonable; i.e. the actual cost to make a copy, time of the person feeding the copies and clerical expenses for billing, mailing, etc.
“Why did Gallegos fire Deputy DA Allison Jackson, a 10-year veteran prosecutor with a sterling reputation among people who deal with sexual assault and child abuse cases, on June 9, 2004, shortly after the defeat of the recall attempt against him?”
They are independent contractors for the most part, Mike.
Courts and legal offices are gradually shifting from using court reporters to audio and sometimes video recordings, then paying a per line for transcription without all the extra charges for additional copies and they have the recordings as proof of accuracy.
Freelance court reporters get paid per page.
Jane, the rate is different after the 1st time. I think you even posted that above.
Do you know what that rate is, 5:27? The only information I could find appeared to suggest that they charge everyone the same rate to preserve their neutrality, but that seems illogical and a bit self-serving after the transcripts are notarized. If no one knows, I’ll give my court reporter friend a call. I’m still willing to donate to a fund to pay for the transcripts if T-S won’t. Maybe Thad (or someone) can start a CU account for it.
Heck yeah a “Pen-Name” is different than “Anonymous” Moviedad is a link to a real person..uh, wait a minute……..Yeah, a real person. Unless Anonymous is a link to some real-life individual whom you can blame, thank or attack for their statements. A pen-name is just fun. Anonymity is for the ‘Hiders’ No offense, I realize all the Anonymi (See: Genus-Faidicatist) are actually Whistle-Blowers who are in fear for their lives and careers.
Seriously though, to each his own. Unless your hosting a site designed to act as a news source. In that case, Anonymity is unethical. Think about it, an anonymous blogger can call anyone, anything. Without a shred of evidence, the accused cannot even defend themselves, or even hope to ‘Face their accusers.” Pretty cowardly if you ask me.
Every reporter and journalist in the state, has to risk retribution whenever they write an article. The Hiders, or course, have no such worries.
Jane,
Why don’t you call the court reporter and just ask them?
Wow Cinema Father! Your intelligence is like really intelligent. You’ve joined the “anonymous” argument only about 2 years late. Good luck with that.
You wish. No, it’s not over, it is the issue. Hmm, this is the second time I have you doggin’ my comments. Well, I ain’t afraid of no ghost. Funny though, you are a Ghost in more way’s than one, aren’t you.
I stand corrected, in Mr. Parish’s case he’s absolutely right. I did not know that his pen name linked back to a site with his real identity. Most folks who use a pen name do not do that. So Moviedad, I apologize.
capdiamont– the scuttlebutt around the courthouse was that Allison Jackson had been stealing documents from the DA’s office and feeding them to her friends who were behind the recall effort. That was also the common knowledge amongst the campaign workers on the No Recall campaign. Charges were never brought so no proof exists, but I can tell you she was not fired because of the Ed Denson affair, as she likes to claim, but since she knows Gallegos can not talk about personal issues, she can not be proven wrong. Of course Hagen has no such protection, as he never worked for Gallegos, he worked for the folks at the CDAA.
What more do you want to know?
Perhaps when the Heradlo’s are discovered, as were the idotic morons on the Above the Law were, they will be making payments to those being defamed here, ala dee dee wilson.
Heraldo, I absolutely love this blog, but please – get rid of the shit like that at 10:38 & 11:14
Gladly.
Thanks H! And keep up the great work. (would also love to see you keep those in Fortuna in line by exposing any shenanigans going on down here!)
Please email your tips to humboldt herald [at] gmail dot com.
is it time to take up a collection?