What does a Court Reporter do?
Published 3 min read
A court reporter is a person who uses shorthand or speedwriting to transcribe the proceedings of a court case, business meeting, or other event. Court reporters are also sometimes referred to as stenographers.
Court Reporter job duties include:
- Court reporters typically work in courtrooms or meeting rooms to capture verbatim accounts of proceedings.
- They use computerized shorthand machines or voice recognition software to record what is being said.
- Court reporters must be able to type quickly and accurately to keep up with the speakers.
- After the proceedings are over, they transcribe their notes into a written format.
- The written transcript is then submitted to the court clerk or other official for review and filing.
- Court reporters may also be responsible for maintaining records of court proceedings, as well as preparing exhibits and other materials for trial.
- In some cases, they may also provide real-time transcription services for the deaf or hard-of-hearing.
- Some court reporters also work as freelance reporters, providing their services to individuals or businesses on an as-needed basis.
Court Reporter Job Requirements
Court reporters typically need to have at least an associate’s degree in court reporting or a related field. Some states also require court reporters to be licensed or certified. In addition to formal education, court reporters also need to have excellent transcription skills and experience using court reporting equipment.
Court Reporter Skills
- Court reporting
- Note taking
- Transcription
- Listening
- Writing
- Research
- Organization
- Time management
- Confidentiality
- Detail oriented
- Ethical
Related: Top Court Reporter Skills: Definition and Examples
How to become a Court Reporter
There are many ways to become a Court Reporter. One can either go to school to learn the trade, or one can learn on the job. There are also many different types of Court Reporters, such as those who work in the legal field, or those who work in the medical field.
The first step to becoming a Court Reporter is to decide what type of Court Reporter you would like to be. Once you have decided on the type of Court Reporter you would like to be, you will need to find a school that offers the training you need. There are many schools that offer Court Reporting programs, and you can find them by searching online, or by asking your local court system.
Once you have found a school that offers the type of training you need, you will need to complete the program. Most programs will take between two and four years to complete. After you have completed your training, you will then need to take a state certification exam. Once you have passed this exam, you will be able to work as a Court Reporter in your state.
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