You’ve probably seen court reporters sitting in court. They’re the ones sitting in a designated area by the judge typing away on that small typewriter. These individuals are required for practically all major trials that happen in court. If you’ve ever seen them in court, you know how fast they have to type. It’s the job of the court reporter to transcribe everything spoken in court. Nearly all legal transcripts are supplied by court reporters.
Although you may see a national court reporter typing away on their machine, you’re eyes may be deceiving you. This is no ordinary typewriter. The is a stenotype, and is specifically used for transcribing legal documents. The machine allows court reporters to type in shorthand. This helps them avoid typing out long words or redundant words that are constantly being spoken. A stenotype allows a court reporter to type as much as 200 words per minute (wpm), which can be nearly impossible on an ordinary typewriter.
Court reporters are known for being very meticulous. This is a trait that’s very important for a court reporter to have. Since it’s very important that the words spoken are transcribed completely, court reporters must be very detailed. The courts expect transcripts to be nearly perfect. Reporters are expected to be aware of the minute details occurring during a court hearing or deposition, and should consistently take note of them. Reporters are expected to be able to perform their duties for extended periods of time. Since individuals in court don’t all speak and pronounce their words the same, court reporters should be able to discern various types of speech or dialect.
Because of how demanding this position can be, a Court Reporter in DC must be well trained. There are a number of classes offered to help individuals learn and obtain the skills needed for the position. These classes include studying medical language, legal and business terms, and developing a thorough understanding of the English language. Becoming a court reporter can take anywhere from two to six years. This time generally depends on whether you want to be a general transcriber, or a much more professional stenotype court reporter.
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