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 can’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 “speak” 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.

Court Reporter Salaries

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An eye for detail and a penchant for accuracy are what being a court reporter is all about. Besides recording the proceedings of a courtroom, the skills required to be a court reporter are the main components of closed captioning and teletype services for the deaf. Besides the growing legal system, new laws to benefit the hearing impaired make court reporting a growing field.

Salary Ranges / Job Outlook for Court Reporters

The demand for court reporters is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade, but the demand for skilled stenotypists will outpace all other types of court reporting. Additionally, Federal legislation goes into effect in 2006 that requires all television programming to be closed-captioned. And the Americans with Disabilities Act gives greater access in colleges and universities to the hearing impaired by providing realtime transcripts in classes.

Wages for court reporters is very good. The median annual pay rate is $41,550 and the high and low range of the scale is $23,120 at the low end and $73,440 at the high end.

Advancement in this career can take the form of management and administrative positions. Many court reporters freelance...providing services for offsite depositions and captioning services.

Education / Getting Started

Educational requirements to gain employment as a court reporter depend on the method of transcription used. Voice writing typically takes less than a year to train for, while stenotyping can take up to three years. The National Court Reporters Association provides accreditation. Standards for court reporting by the Association and Federal guidelines also apply.

Additionally, some states require court reporters to be notary publics or hold a CCR (Certified Court Reporter) designation, which involves passing a test. There are also special designations for broadcast captioners and realtime providers.

Voice reporters are required by some states to be licensed.