Court reporters are trained professionals who work in courts of law, both state and federal, and occasionally outside of courts at official proceedings, such as depositions. They create written records of the court proceedings, so that accurate records of what transpires are available to the participants and the public. Court reporters must accurately record everything that participants say in an official proceeding. They then produce a written transcript which becomes part of the court record.
Most court reporters today use a device that looks similar to a typewriter. It is a machine specially designed to allow the user to record everything said as quickly as in real time. The court reporter’s tool is not a typewriter but a stenography machine, also called a “stenographer typewriter,” “stenograph,” or “steno machine.”
A stenograph is a portable word processor with a keyboard consisting of only 25 keys. The machine allows a court reporter to take shorthand mechanically with a keyboard rather than a pencil, as many office stenographers do.
The special shorthand used by court reporters is part of what they learn during their training. Using shorthand is faster than typing complete words, making it possible for a court reporter to transcribe what people say quickly in real-time. Then a computer translates the shorthand record into standard English.
Court reporters are important because a written record of what occurs in courtrooms and other official proceedings is essential for those participating. They may want to go back to review what was said. This is especially important for appeals of court rulings and jury verdicts. But having accurate official transcripts of everything said in official court proceedings is important for various reasons.
People dissatisfied with court decisions in hearings and trials review transcripts to determine if any legal error was made. If this record is inaccurate, it becomes difficult for appeals courts to know what happened and what they might do about any possible errors.
What Kind of Education Do Court Reporters Need?
It can take from two to four years to prepare to work as a qualified stenographic court reporter. Learning to use the stenograph keyboard efficiently is the skill that probably takes the most time. Academic training in English grammar and law is also required. Candidates may take specialized certificate courses at private business schools or sometimes associate or bachelor’s degree programs at accredited community colleges or universities. Distance learning and online training courses are also an option. After getting some on-the-job training and experience, a qualified court reporter could move on to real-time reporting.
Do I Need a License to Be a Court Reporter?
Whether a person needs a license to be a court reporter depends on the state where the person wants to work. Some states require a license, and some do not. For example, in Maryland, a person must be certified as a court reporter to work as an employee of the state’s courts. A court reporter may be certified by any organization that the courts recognize.
Two associations are recognized in all states. The first is the National Court Reporters Association, which has a “Registered Professional Reporter” (RPR) certification. The National Verbatim Reporters Association offers a certification known as the “Certified Verbatim Reporter” (CVR).
A court reporter must not be licensed to work in New York state. However, becoming licensed as a Certified Shorthand Reporter gives a person an edge in the labor market. The New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions administers the licensing exam. A person must be at least 21, a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and of good moral character to take the test.
Most states that require court reporters to have licenses sponsor their own court reporting exams. Or, they accept the Certified Verbatim Reporter (CVR) exam results through the National Verbatim Reporters Association. Yet another alternative is the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) designation offered by the National Court Reporters Association, which some states accept in place of a state exam. A person must take tests to get the RPR designation consisting of two parts: a written examination and a skills test.
Many employers seek court reporters with the RPR designation, the entry-level designation for the National Court Reporters Association, even if the state they are located in does not require a license.
What Kind of Skills Are Needed to Succeed on Court Reporter Exams?
Examinations include writing speed tests for literary and legal transcription at 180 words per minute (wpm), jury transcription at 200 wpm, and examination-based testimony at 225 wpm. An exam may also include a written portion to demonstrate proficiency in English grammar, medical terminology, legal terminology, courtroom decorum, the federal and state rules of civil procedure, court reporting procedure, and ethics.
The methodology of shorthand, as presented in The Phrase Book of Pitmanic Shorthand, is reportedly the standard for transcribing legal and medical proceedings.
Licensed court reporters must attend yearly continuing education courses of at least 10 hours to keep their licenses active.
Do I Need to Invest in Equipment to Be a Court Reporter?
Students of court reporter programs must purchase their own manual stenotype machine, which A student in a court reporting program may have to buy or rent their own manual stenotype machine. This can cost from $100 to $250. Most training programs do not recommend paperless writers because a court reporter must know how to read paper notes.
Students are also often required to rent or purchase a computerized writer for CAT classes. A new computerized writer can cost over $2,000, but a used one can cost as little as $400. Or, they can be rented. A student may also have to buy software for the writer, adding another $100 to $500 to the total bill.
A person would also want to know that they should be prepared to take entrance exams to gain acceptance to a court reporter program. The contents of these exams would cover typing and the English language. So, a person who thinks they want to enter a court reporter program would learn to type to a high degree of proficiency and master English grammar before applying.
What Personality Trains Are Suited to Court Reporting?
Court reporters need various skills, many of which are taught at court reporting schools. However, some traits, such as patience, an ability to concentrate for long periods, and an ability to not get off-track after making a mistake, are also critical personality traits for a good court reporter.
Of course, these are not necessarily skills a person can learn in school. A person has to be able to assess themselves and whether they are suited to court reporting. A person might want to visit courtrooms and observe court reporters at work to get a sense of what they do and their work circumstances.
What Careers Are Available for Court Reporters?
In theory, a court reporter’s job may seem quite straightforward – write down everything that is said in a courtroom. Court reporting is a difficult job in reality. However, if you feel that you have the personality and aptitude to be a skillful court reporter, many court reporting programs across the country can equip you with the necessary education.
Furthermore, there is a shortage of court reporters, and they are in great demand almost everywhere in the United States. If you have a criminal issue and need representation, contact a criminal lawyer for guidance.
