Court Reporter
Court Reporter Job Description
A court reported is needed to keep record of the dealings that take place during a court session. The reporter is responsible to write down every "official" word spoken in court. It is important that reporters be able to work quickly, as not to miss what is being said. Court reporters are commonly able to record up to 200 words per minute.
The record taken during a court proceeding is the foundation for all appeals taken to appellate courts. Lawyers attempting to appeal their case, base their arguments on the exact statements made during the trial court. The appeals court justices then use the transcripts taken during the trial courts, as well as the argument made for an appeal to write their opinions. Therefore, it is easy to note how critically important it is to have accurate court reporters in order to maintain an effective judicial system.
In addition to taking accurate records during court trials, court reporters may also be asked to record interrogatories, depositions, and other aspects of pretrial proceedings. For example, court reporters are often called upon to take note of the things being said during a public hearing. Out of the 60,000 court reporters currently employed in the U.S. approximately 90% use computers or computer aided transcription, also known as CAT. Through such a system the stenotype machine is linked to a computer which then converts the reporter’s notes into a more readable print.
Educational and Training Requirements
Attendance at a court-reporting school or similar program, offered through various community colleges or universities, is required in order to become a court reporter. Depending on the type of certificate or degree available, these programs can take anywhere from two to four years to complete. Court-reporting programs teach students the language of court-reporting, and instruct them on how to use the court-reporting machine, or stenotype. The core of the curriculum is made up of various classes in computers, law, keyboarding, medical terminology, and English.
Special Skills
For those interested in attending court-reporting school, an excellent command of the English language, strong typing and keyboarding skills, good hearing, and a general knowledge of computers are key. Because this job requires an ability to sit still and concentrate for extended periods of time, persons interested in this career must also be very good listeners.
Salary and Benefits
Court reports can work freelance for different businesses, work exclusively for the courts, or, if they choose, do both. Annual starting salaries for court reports typically range between $20,000 and $25,000. In addition, benefits are available through most employers and include a retirement package and medical insurance. This profession requires great skill and is essential to the effectiveness of our court systems. Therefore, as a court reporter becomes more proficient, the amount of money he or she earns can radically increase. In fact, it is common for experienced court reporters, who have worked about 5 years, to earn a minimum of $50,000 per year.
Working Conditions
Most court reporters working for the courts work a 40-hour work week following the schedule of the court. However, in some cases, a court reporter may have to put in extra hours to meet specific deadlines.
Court reporters can work anywhere an official record is needed. They may work in law offices, public buildings such as legislatures and town halls, courts, or businesses.
Job Outlook for Court Reporters
As the number of criminal and civil cases rise, employment opportunities for court reports continue to be good. The job outlook for court reporters is projected to remain good through the year 2005, though advances in technology, including voice-activated transcription equipment, may eventually lessen the need for such employees. Work as a legal/medical transcriptionist, or in caption may also be available to those who have skills in court reporting.
