HAMILTON — Butler County appears ready to give professional court stenographers a try.

        Responding to criticism of the county's method of recording and transcribing court proceedings, commissioners on Thursday set aside $90,000 for professional court stenographers.

        “The foundation of our justice system is having an accurate, reliable record — and serious questions have been raised about the ability of the current system to provide that,” said Commission President Michael A. Fox.

        The three commissioners agreed unanimously to fund a pilot program in the county's Common Pleas Court General Division. The initial test would exclude the county's area, probate, domestic relations and juvenile courts. Mr. Fox says he is determined to eventually add professional stenographers to the juvenile court, but wants to see whether the experiment pays off in the general division.

        Although surrounding counties use professional stenographers for major court cases, Butler has continued a decades-old practice. Court employees — mostly judges' secretaries — transcribe recordings of court action.

        Jane A. Fitch, a professional court stenographer who has publicly criticized the current system, praised the commissioners' action as “a step in the right direction.” But she said more action is needed.

        “The whole system still needs to be fixed,” Ms. Fitch said.

        Acting on Ms. Fitch's behalf, Attorney Robert Croskery of West Chester Township said he is filing a complaint with the Ohio Supreme Court today, asking the court to order the county to employ “properly qualified "court reporters' that are not subordinates of judges.”

        Judge Matthew Crehan, Common Pleas administrative judge, said he had not seen the complaint, so he couldn't comment.

        Meanwhile, the judge said he and his four colleagues welcome the money from the commissioners.

        “We've always said a live court reporter is the "Cadillac' of the industry ... but the question has always been cost,” he said. “It's a question whether the additional cost is worth the amount of benefit that we're going to get from it.”

        Judge Crehan said he and his four judicial colleagues, with input from the county bar association, would decide how to implement the pilot program.

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