Court Reporter

Answer 1

Choosing a career as a court reporter is a smart move for anyone in these tough economic times. The demand for court reporters is growing fast and is only expected to increase in the future.

As an officer of the court, a court reporter is needed to provide a written record of an event. This is typically a court hearing, deposition, meeting, or any other legal proceeding where an exact account of what was said at the event is needed. Besides legal work, a court reporter can also work in closed captioning and medical transcription.

As a court reporter, it is crucial to be able to capture every word said during the proceeding. The challenge in this job is being able to type quickly (at least 200 words per minute) and accurately, without interrupting the proceeding. Of course, a court reporter must also be an excellent listener, and be able to maintain focus during lengthy proceedings.

To become a court reporter, one must complete a special court reporter program at a vocational or technical school. There are several types of court reporting, and the student can study one or all of the different types. Most court reporting programs can take anywhere from two to four years to complete, depending on the program chosen.

The most common type is stenographic court reporting. This type uses a stenotype machine where multiple keys are used to that represent common words and sounds. The machine is then connected to a computer, where special software called CAT, or computer aided transcription, aids the court reporter in preparing the official transcript.

A second type of court reporting is electronic reporting. In this type, the court reporter simply records the proceedings, taking note of the different speakers present. The court reporter then prepares a word-for-word transcript from the recording.

Another type of court reporting is voice writing. In this type, the court reporting speaks into a mask with a voice silencer, repeating the words spoken by all of the parties in the proceeding. A transcript is then prepared by the court reporter from the recording.

Students in court reporting school will learn how to use the machines in one or all of the methods described above. Not only that, a court reporter student must also take classes in grammar, legal terminology, machine shorthand, and computer-aided transcription. It is important by go to an accredited school that is approved by the National Court Reporter Association.

Starting salary for a court reporter varies greatly, but can be anywhere from $20,000.00 to $70,000.00. On average, court reporters make about $50,000.00 per year.

Answer 2

A court reporter is responsible for creating verbatim transcripts of legal proceedings, such as trials, depositions, and hearings. They use specialized equipment to record spoken words, gestures, and actions, and then produce accurate written transcripts for the record. Court reporters play a crucial role in ensuring an accurate and complete record of court proceedings for future reference or appeals.