What is a court reporter?

A court reporter, stenotype reporter or stenographer is a person whose occupation is to transcribe spoken or recorded speech into written form, typically using stenography equipment to produce official transcripts of court hearings, depositions and other official proceedings. Court reporters use either a stenomask or a shorthand system such as stenotype in order to keep up with the flow of speech so that they do not miss any words. The court reporter is often also a notary public who is authorized to administer oaths to witnesses, and who certifies that her or his transcript of the proceedings is a verbatim account of what was said.

What training is required for court reporters?

It typically takes 36 months or longer to learn the basic skills to become a court reporter. Most students do not achieve the required speed, and therefore, do not graduate. Candidates usually attend specialist on-ground training schools.

Distance learning and online training courses are also available. These courses have dismal success rates.

On completion of formal training, court reporters engage in continuous practice in order to improve their skills.

Required qualities of a court reporter are excellent command of the language being spoken, attention to detail and the ability to focus for long periods at a time. The most highly skilled court reporters can provide transcription in real time and have significant earning potential.

Work as a court reporter.

Court reporters may be employed by court agencies to provide transcription in court, but may also work on their own account or for court reporting agencies, either as employees or as freelancers. In a courtroom environment they may make suggestions regarding proper procedure, do research for items in the official record and assist in other ways. Many court reporters work outside the courtroom in depositions and other situations that require an official legal transcript, such as arbitration hearings or other formal proceedings. Court reporters also often provide realtime transcription for public events, religious services, webcasts, and educational services.

Former court reporters and graduates of court reporting schools are employed by television producers and stations in order to provide realtime closed captioning of live programs for the hearing-impaired. Court reporters can command earnings which rival those of the attorneys whose speech they transcribe. They also receive personal gratification for the work they do with the hearing-impaired.