THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CONSULTATION WAS PROMPTED BY EXPRESSED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE SYSTEM AND WITH THE TRANSCRIPTS PREPARED USING THE SYSTEM. A TWO-DAY ON-SITE VISIT, WHICH INVOLVED INTERVIEWS WITH COURT PERSONNEL, A REVIEW OF THE SYSTEM, AND A COST SURVEY OF OTHER COURT REPORTING SERVICES USED IN MAJOR OHIO MUNICIPAL COURTS, LED TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE EXISTING AUDIO RECORDING SYSTEM DID NOT PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE AND RELIABLE RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT IN EACH COURTROOM, THE COURT INSTALL NEW MULTITRACK AUDIO RECORDING EQUIPMENT CONTAINING APPROPRIATE FAIL-SAFE FEATURES, AND PREPARE EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS FOR AUDIO RECORDING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF OPERATIONAL STANDARDS, JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR COURT BAILIFFS, SECRETARIES, AND TRANSCRIBERS, AND QUALITY CONTROL PROCEDURES IS ALSO SUGGESTED...ELW