Prompt Cast
The Unsung Heroes of the Courtroom: Bailiffs, Court Reporters, and Sketch Artists
TLDR This podcast episode explores the vital roles played by court stenographers, bailiffs, and court sketch artists in the courtroom. From maintaining order and providing security to recording legal proceedings and capturing visual information, these unsung heroes play a crucial part in the justice system.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
This podcast episode discusses the unsung heroes of the courtroom, including court stenographers, bailiffs, and court sketch artists.
05:02
Bailiffs in the United States are officers of the court who provide security, handle evidence, swear in witnesses, usher people in and out of the courtroom, and maintain order during trials.
09:37
Bailiffs in the United States can be responsible for evicting people, and their salaries can vary depending on the level of government they work for, with state governments paying more than local governments.
14:44
Court reporters have a long history of recording legal proceedings and playing a crucial role in preserving precedent and history.
19:56
The practice of recording court proceedings and preserving legal documents dates back to ancient civilizations, such as the Mesopotamians and Babylonians, who kept meticulous records on clay tablets, and this tradition continued in the United States during the colonial period through personal notebooks and diaries until the early 1800s when official court reporting was established.
24:40
Shorthand has a long history dating back to ancient civilizations, and while there are still some court reporters who use pen and paper shorthand, the invention of the stenotype machine allows for faster and more efficient court reporting.
29:43
Court reporters use stenography machines to type at incredibly fast speeds, allowing them to accurately transcribe conversations in a courtroom setting.
34:37
Court reporters now use technology such as speech-to-text and real-time live feeds to provide accurate and immediate transcripts in courtrooms, although these technologies still have limitations compared to human court reporters.
39:36
Court sketch artists are unsung heroes because they provide visual information for the media to accompany reports of court cases, and their work started when cameras were not allowed in courtrooms.
44:54
Court sketch artists became important in the 60s when TV news needed visuals for court cases that couldn't be filmed, and they have to quickly capture subtle exchanges and facial expressions in their sketches.
50:04
Sketch artists find it easier to draw someone like Charles Manson than someone who looks "normal," such as Tom Brady, and sketches of Brady during the deflate gate proceedings became memes and garnered a lot of press attention.
Categories:
Society & Culture
