16th February 2008
John Smith

Court reporters have held respected careers in courtrooms for decades. Technology and communication is rapidly expanding to create new transcription experiences and opportunities inside the courtroom and beyond. If you can listen, read and write - a career as a court reporter could be the lucrative career for you.

Court reporter training is no longer limited to pounding the keys of the classic stenomachine at the lightening speed of 200 words per minute. Today, a court reporter is just as likely to be responsible for taping a court proceeding, or creating a verbatim audio record of the proceeding. And these techniques aren’t limited to the court room either.

Court reporters have traditionally been used for court hearings, arbitration hearings, and depositions that require a verbatim transcription of the oral proceeding. Court reporters are also used in business meetings where conversations need to be officially recorded and transcribed, speeches, sales meetings, press conferences, product introductions, and even for translation and closed-captioning for the hard of hearing for classes, broadcasting and web services. In all these instances, an official verbatim transcription of conversations is required or desired.

To create these records a stenotype machine, analog or digital recording devices, or voice writing may be used. A stenomachine is different than a typewriter because it allows for stenotypist to type words, and even sounds and phrases, rather than letters. A stenomachine is usually used with Computer Aided Transcription (CAT). This connects the stenomachine to a computer which translates the input to be printed out almost instantaneously. CATs can also translate a transcription into a different language. Bilingual court reporters are always in high demand. Courses in stenography teach stenotyping skills, and on the job practice perfects the skill. The more years of experience a stenographer has, the faster and more accurate they are likely to be.

An analog or digital recording device is a “tape recorder.” The court reporter is responsible for not only taping the conversations, but for keeping a record of whom is speaking during the proceedings, and ensuring the recording for audibility. Recording a proceeding through a digital recorder is different than Voice Writing. In voice writing, the court reporter will repeat every word of the proceeding from everyone into a microphone. A special mask keeps the court reporter from being heard and interfering with the official proceeding. The court reporter than transcribes the voice recording through a computer aided program, or simply by manually typing the conversation. In addition to transcribing the event, the court reporter is also responsible for editing and ensuring accuracy. They are also responsible for record keeping and producing copies of the transcripts to the requested parties.

A court reporter must have intense listening skills, and excellent grammar and editing skills, as well as organizational skills and a very professional demeanor. Three years of court reporter education will teach you a comprehensive selection of skills and enhance your employability. Courses will include not only technical courses, but also grammar and legalese. Some courses even include anatomy and social behavior. However, three years is not necessary, a court reporter can specialize and get an education in only a year or two. Many states require licensing in addition to education, and may also require a court reporter to be a notary public (which is a fast easy process).

Court reporter careers have expanded to the business world and the entertainment industry thanks to technology. But no matter where the transcription is being made, or how it’s being made, attentiveness and accuracy is a must. If you can concentrate, listen, read and write, a court reporter career could have you start reporting some high salary returns.