For a sixth year the official court reporters of Maricopa County recently participated in the annual StandDown event in January. What’s that? You’re not familiar with this event?
Allow me to explain!
This event provides veterans a vast array of services from dental care, vision exams, haircuts, housing assistance, and court services, which is where these awesome court reporters of Maricopa County come in.
Veterans can get their court matters taken care of, and most of the time their fines and fees are either waived, drastically reduced, or converted into community service, which is available right there at the event so that it’s a one-stop-shop. Sometimes that’s all it takes to help a person get a fresh start and move forward without the concern of fines and fees looming that they can’t seem to get out from under.
Veterans will occasionally find themselves out of compliance with the court. Studies have shown that, because of their military training, most veterans will complete their obligations with court, once they are given the opportunity to correct their non-compliance.
It is fast-paced, and there’s likely no break during each shift, but it’s one of the most rewarding experiences our court reporters will ever have in their career. Those that have participated in the past all say the same thing: This is a wonderful and fulfilling way to do some community service and help out our Veterans right here in our own communities.
When this began four years ago, the organizers contemplated using a recording device, and the Maricopa County official court reporters said ABSOLUTELY NOT and provided the reporting services then and have every year since. There’s no way they would have been able to record the proceedings, but the Maricopa County court reporters weren’t about to give them a chance to try.
The event was held on Thursday, January 28, through Saturday, January 30, with makeshift courtrooms at the Veterans’ Memorial Coliseum at 15th Avenue and McDowell. It was huge success, and several Maricopa County official court reporters participated. All makeshift courtrooms were staffed with a court reporter, and every veteran who needed assistance received it.
Well, done Maricopa County Superior Court Officials!
