PRO SE CLIENTS

What is a Pro Se litigant?

They are litigants or parties representing themselves in court without the assistance of an attorney. The person who represents themselves sometimes is referred to as a “self-represented litigant.”

“Pro se” is Latin for “in one’s own behalf.” Pro Se litigants are tasked with researching and navigating their way through the judicial system, and it’s not always easy. Every person has the right to represent themselves in court.

Cost

Usually the pro se litigant’s first and foremost concern is cost. What is it going to cost? How much do you charge? It’s sometimes difficult to quote prices, but if we have an idea of how long the deposition or court hearing is, meaning how many hours, and if you are going to order a transcript, are all factors that go into the cost of conducting a deposition. And we’re better able to give a price range.

Did you know that ordering the transcript is optional? That you don’t have to order it immediately? That you have five years from the taking of the proceeding to order a transcript?

If you think you may settle the case, or you really don’t need to order it right then, or cost may be a factor, according to Fla. R. Gen. Prac. Jud. Admin. 2.430, Retention of Records, the following guidelines are applicable for ordering transcripts from the date of the proceeding:

5 years  – All other judicial proceedings, including, but not limited to depositions, EUOs, arbitration hearings, and discovery proceedings such as when you’re before a judge, when a transcript has not been prepared.

10 years – Judicial proceedings in felony cases when transcript has not been prepared.

Example: If you took a deposition on May 5, 2023, you have until May 5, 2028, to safely order a transcript.

What happens after the five years; does the court reporter destroy her notes? The answer depends on each individual court reporter’s habit and practice whether they maintain their Stenographic notes after the mandatory five years.