JAC IN FLORIDA

[Phyllis J. Stinson]

Has anyone out there ever taken a depo for a court-appointed attorney where the reporter is supposed to get paid from the State of Florida Justice Administrative Commission, and if so, have you had trouble getting paid? What's the deal with the state agency? My invoice for a transcript is now some months old and the atty says they have trouble getting paid from JAC, too. I have jumped through all the hoops, signed a vendors "contract", sent W-9 form, etc., etc. and still no payment. What to do? Thanks for any and all replies.

[K.C. Corbin]

Phyllis-

Sorry to say I have heard that before. I used to work with a reporter in Miami who did a lot of work with the State and was not getting paid timely by the JAC. Unfortunately that meant I wasn't getting paid, which is why I had to stop working with her. I was sad to have to move on. I really liked the reporter, and she had some really interesting work, but that doesn't pay the bills.

I don’t have any real suggestions except for maybe the squeaky wheel syndrome will help you get your money. I believe she is slowing getting paid for her backlog.

I am beginning to think this is happening with many government entities. I did some work for a reporting agency in Texas in mid-November. They are still waiting to be paid by a state agency. I am also waiting to be paid for the job. It gets to be pretty frustrating at times.

Best of luck to you.

[Mary Pulliam]

Hello, I am going to tell you Good Luck. I am retired from court in Fort Lauderdale. I went through the same things. Best thing to do is to write it off. I wonder if those attorneys keep the money. I quit because of many of those reasons. Florida, at least South Florida is not the place for a court reporter. C.O.D. I don't know. I miss the profession, but not the aggrevation of working for free. Best of Luck!!!!!

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

Wow, that is a new one to me. Maybe Florida is in the red like California is when it comes to funds. Sorry I am not much help.