Court reporters are responsible for providing an accurate, verbatim written account of verbal court procedures like depositions, trials, legal proceedings, meetings and other legal matters that require written proof, or a record that can be researched later. Court reporters may also create and organize methods to store their written accounts and assist legal professionals in research of these written records.
Two methods of court reporting are commonly used: stenotyping and voice writing. Stenotyping involves use of a special machine that has words, possibly phrases, coded into it for quick recording. Court reporters are also responsible to record non-verbal communication like gestures and emotional reactions. Once the information is entered, it is saved to a computer. Real time stenotyping has the machine connected directly to a computer and instantly translates the machine's codes into text. Real time applications are used for closed captioning, classrooms, meetings and web streaming.
Voice writing involves the court reporter speaking into a stenomask and recording the content of the proceeding. The stenomask has a voice silencer so the court reporter canï¿˝t be heard during the proceedings.
Regardless of the method of reporting employed, a court reporter is responsible for editing their transcript for grammar and proper identification of people and places. They also provide copies of the transcript to the proper parties and save a version to be archived. The court reporter may also code their machine prior to the proceeding with specific phrases or words that may be used during the recording.
The technology used in modern court reporting has the capability to convert live events to text format for the purposes of closed captioning or Internet streaming text. Court reporting skills are also employed by Telephone Relay Services. This service allows a deaf person to ï¿˝speakï¿˝ to people who can hear through the telephone. A special machine with a keyboard and display attaches to their phone. The deaf person types their conversation and the relay operator speaks to the other person on the phone. The operator then types the responses into a computer to be displayed to the caller. Telephone relay operators must provide the same level of accuracy and record all things that are said during the conversation.
Court reporting offers a well paying career to people who are detail oriented and tend towards accuracy. Many career options are available outside of the courtroom as well working as a closed captionist, teletype relay operator or realtime transcript provider.
