| When many people think of a career in the legal | | | | complete a verbatim account of verbal evidence, |
| field, the first jobs they usually think of are a | | | | witness testimony, and - When requested, they |
| lawyer and judge. For people who are interested | | | | will read back recorded passages in court |
| in a law career, there are many other job | | | | - Transcribing notes after a court session |
| opportunities. One career that is often overlooked | | | | - Checking the notes for accuracy |
| is the court reporter. | | | | - Correcting spelling and grammar, vocabulary, |
| The role of a court reporter is to create word | | | | adding missing words , and editing the text to |
| for word transcripts of conversations, legal | | | | create a final transcript |
| proceedings, meetings and other situations that | | | | - Sending a copy of the transcribed document to |
| require a documented account that will serve as | | | | the judge for approval before entering it in as the |
| legal verification. The main responsibility of a court | | | | final legal record. |
| reporter is to keep a complete and accurate | | | | Qualifications |
| account of testimony so that it serves as a | | | | Your keyboard skills are very important. To be a |
| legally binding record. Court reporters will work at | | | | court reporter, you will need a typing speed of at |
| depositions, trials, assist judges and attorneys | | | | least 200 or more words a minute. You should |
| when searching for information in the official | | | | have experience in written and machine |
| record, and provide translation services for the | | | | shorthand. You should also have excellent spelling |
| hearing impaired. | | | | and grammar skills. |
| Types of Court Reporting | | | | There are many court reporting educational |
| Stenography: A court reporter will use a | | | | institutions that offer court reporting degree |
| stenotype machine to record speeches and | | | | programs. On average, it takes less than a year |
| testimony verbatim. The court reporter will press | | | | to become a voice writer, but electronic reporters |
| multiple keys at a time to record combinations or | | | | learn their skills through on the job training. It |
| letters that represent phrase, words, and sounds. | | | | takes about 33 months to become a stenotypist. |
| The symbols are recorded electronically and then | | | | A graduate from an accredited court reporting |
| translated after a legal session has concluded. | | | | program will have a complete understanding on |
| Communications Access Real-time Translation: | | | | how to accurately record for a legal record. |
| This type of service involves the use of a | | | | The National Court Reporters Association grants |
| stenotype machine that is connected to a | | | | the title of Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) |
| computer which allows people to see what is | | | | to individuals who pass a four-part examination |
| being typed. When the reporter enters the | | | | and take part in compulsory continuing education |
| symbols, they will appear as text on the | | | | programs. Although voluntary, the title is |
| computer screen. | | | | acknowledged as a mark of distinction. |
| Voice Writing: The court reporter will speak into a | | | | Personal Skills |
| hand held mask with a microphone. The mask | | | | To be a court reporter, you must have the |
| ensures that no other sounds interfere with what | | | | following personal strengths: |
| is being recorded during testimony. Voice writers | | | | - Excellent listening skills |
| record what is said by judges, witnesses, and | | | | - Work rapidly and accurately |
| attorneys. They also record gestures and | | | | - Confident and patient |
| reactions. | | | | - Clear speaking voice |
| The duties of a Court Reporter normally include: | | | | - Good concentration skills |
| - Using machine shorthand to take down a | | | | - Meet rigid deadlines. |