The second job of court reporters is the transcription of the testimony into legible full-page documents. It begins with computer-aided transcription (CAT), which converts the reporter's stenotype notes into text. The next step is editing the document on a computer. The spelling of technical terms and witness names must also be checked and double-checked for accuracy. The court reporter then duplicates, collates, and binds the text for circulation.
The pleasures and pressures of the job
Court reporting is a great job if you are fascinated by law and what goes on in courtrooms from municipal courts to the Supreme Court. It pays well, offers scheduling flexibility, and provides the opportunity to travel, particularly if you are freelancing.
The pressure to be accurate and fast can be stressful. There is only one court reporter in the courtroom at any given time, and the exact words he or she types are frequently crucial to the decision rendered in a case. And court reporters may have to record the testimony of people speaking at a rate as high as 250 or 300 words a minute. In addition, there's the pressure of meeting deadlines.
The rewards and the pay
Court reporting is a very rewarding job with a high degree of responsibility. Court reporters are paid well, receiving an average salary of about $54,000 a year. The top 25 percent earn $64,000, while those in the bottom 25 percent earn $30,000. A few court reporters earn more than $100,000 a year. Income varies based on the type of reporting jobs and the experience of the individual reporter. Court reporters usually earn a salary and a per-page fee for transcripts, while freelance court reporters are paid per job and receive a per-page fee for transcripts.
A court reporting career requires two to four years of higher education and technical training on the college level. There are approximately 290 postsecondary schools that offer training programs. About 110 of these programs have been approved by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). Students learn a variety of subjects, including civil and criminal law, grammar, languages, legal terminology, anatomy, medical terminology, computer technology, keyboarding, and dictation. Several states require court reporters to be certified, which involves passing a test.
Things you can do to get a head start
Prospective court reporters should take English and other law or business-related courses in high school. Training in Latin can also be a great benefit because it increases a reporter's understanding of the many medical and legal terms that arise during court proceedings. Knowledge of American government and the judicial system is also helpful. Attending actual court sessions is a good way to see what a court reporter does.
Toni is a freelance independent contractor who works for an agency. Her work environment varies every day as she goes to law firms and doctors' offices taking sworn testimony.
Did you need any special schooling or training?
Yes, I attended a two-and-a-half-year program offered by a business college in my hometown. In addition to court reporting, I took classes in such things as English, legal terminology, office procedures, and accounting.
Do you use the knowledge and skills learned in school on the job?
Yes, I learned how to use the stenotype machine and must use it every day in my job. Nowadays, a background in computers would also be very helpful. I've learned three different software programs during my career in addition to keeping abreast of changes in shorthand writing.
What first attracted you to a career in court reporting?
I wanted to be a part of the legal system. I also liked the idea of being independent-working at my own pace and when I wanted to.
Tell me about your first day at work.
I was very nervous. I still remember the attorney. He seemed to talk so fast then, but now I realize it was just my nerves.
Is there a lot of competition for jobs in court reporting?
Competition is keen, but it does depend on the state where you live. As long as I've been reporting, there have always been jobs available for competent court reporters.
Describe a typical day at work.
I travel to an attorney's office or the attorney comes to my office. As an officer of the court and notary public, I administer an oath to the witness to tell the truth. The attorney who set up the deposition asks questions, and the deponent (person giving evidence) answers these questions. I write a verbatim record of everything that is said in the room using a stenotype machine, and I mark exhibits as evidence. When I get home, I translate my stenotype notes into English, edit the transcript, and check it for correct punctuation and spelling. After the transcript is proofread by a proofreader, I make the necessary corrections and use my computer to modem the file to my office downtown, where it is printed and sent to the attorney. Sometimes the attorney wants the transcript the same day that the deposition was taken. At other times, an attorney may want real-time reporting (immediate access to the computer-transcribed text).
I like my job because:
- There are so many different reporting experiences.
- The hours are flexible.
- I can work out of my office at home and avoid the distractions of working around others.
- I enjoy meeting new people each day.
- How much money I make depends on how many assignments I take.
- There is the stress of deadlines. Sometimes, I have to produce a perfect transcript on the same day that I took a deposition.
- The attorneys may be fighting at times or talking fast.
- Some witnesses mumble or mutter their testimony, making it difficult to understand what they d are saying.
- I have to work many weekends, holidays, and sometimes all night to meet deadlines.
