Court Reporter

Job Description

Court reporters create an accurate, verbatim record of what is said and done during legal proceedings, most notably during trials and hearings. When transcribed, a court reporter’s finished product is deemed the official court record. Judges, attorneys and the general public can refer to these records to learn what occurred during a trial or hearing. Court reporters use one of three methods to do their work. One method is using a Stenotype machine, which allows the reporter to hit multiple keys at once. Another method is by monitoring an electronic recording device and taking shorthand notes. The most recent method is voice writing, in which a court reporter speaks into a device consisting of a mask with a microphone inside. These devices have silencers to keep the court reporter from disrupting the proceedings and use voice recognition technology to convert words into text. Court reporters must afterwards go back into their work to expand their shorthand and/or proofread during the transcription process. Court reporters are best known for their work in courtrooms, but they are also retained by law firms and corporations who wish to have a verbatim record of interviews with clients or important meetings.

Educational Requirements

A college education is beneficial both for preparing future court reporters for their careers and for making them more marketable to employers. The best option is to choose a court reporter school which offers programs certified by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), as these programs provide direct career training. A number of vocational schools and community colleges offer associate degrees and certificate programs in court reporting. It takes two or more years to become proficient in real-time voice writing or stenography, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, if you plan on moving up in the profession to a supervisory position, you might consider earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Some states require that you be licensed as a court reporter, a process that typically involves passing a formal exam. These exams test your speed and accuracy, grammar skills and your knowledge of medical and legal terminology.

Career Outlook and Salary

Employment opportunities for court reporters are expected to be vast over the next 10 years, with employment projected to grow 18 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those who are certified through professional organizations, such as the NCRA, the United States Court Reporters Association or the American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers, will enjoy the best job prospects, the Bureau says. The skills of many court reporters will allow them to also pursue careers in CART (Communication Access Real-time Translation), an in-demand service to the deaf and hard of hearing, which includes closed captioning for television. The median yearly salary of court reporters is $49,710, but the highest paid 10 percent earn more than $83,500, according to the Bureau. Court reporters sometimes have greater control over their salaries when they are self-employed. They also have the option of working through a court reporting agency.