|What does a Court Reporter do?
can be made up of written accounts of spoken words. Texts of spoken
words may also be needed for letters and other uses. Court reporters
make word-for-word reports of court cases, meetings, speeches,
and other events. Court reporters play a critical role in legal
proceedings. They are expected to create a complete and accurate
legal record. Accuracy is crucial. Legal appeals can depend on
the court reporter's transcript. Many court reporters organize
official records. They may also search them for specific information.
Court reporters provide closed-captioning and translating services
for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.
and voice writing are the two main methods of court reporting.
machine allows the court reporter, or stenotypist, to press more
than one key at a time. Doing so records symbols that represent
sounds, words, or phrases. These symbols are saved on computer
disks or CD-ROMs. They are then translated and displayed as text.
This is called computer-aided transcription. Stenotype machines
used for captioning are linked directly to the computer. As the
reporter keys in the symbols, they instantly appear as text on
the screen. This process is called communications access realtime
translation or CART. It is used in courts, in classrooms, and
for closed captioning on television.
method of court reporting is called voice writing. Voice-writing
involves a court reporter speaking into a stenomask-a hand-held
mask containing a microphone. The reporter repeats the testimony
into the recorder. The mask has a silencer so the reporter won't
be heard. Voice writers record everything that is said by persons
in the courtroom. Gestures and emotional reactions are also recorded.
writers produce a transcript in real time, using computer speech
recognition technology. Other voice writers translate their voice
files after the event is over. Voice writers can pursue careers
as closed captioners or CART reporters for hearing-impaired people.
reporters record official proceedings in courtrooms. Some take
statements for lawyers. Others record meetings, conventions, and
need captions on television programs. Stenotypists and voice writers
do the captioning on television. These workers are known as stenocaptioners.
They work for television stations or networks. They might caption
news, sporting events, or emergency broadcasts. Imagine an emergency,
such as a tornado or a hurricane. People's lives might depend
on the captions made by the stenocaptioner.
reporters work in comfortable settings. More court reporters work
in home offices as independent contractors, or freelancers.
Work in this
occupation presents few hazards. Sitting in the same position
for long periods can be tiring. Workers can suffer wrist, back,
neck, or eye problems. Workers also risk repetitive motion injuries.
In addition, the pressure to be accurate and fast can be stressful.
court reporters work a standard 40-hour week. Self-employed court
reporters can work flexible hours. Some work on an on-call basis.
|How do you get ready to become a Court Reporter?
become a stenotypist takes 33 months, on average. It usually takes
less than a year to become a voice writer. Training is offered
by about 160 vocational and technical schools and colleges. The
National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has approved about
80 of these. NCRA-approved programs require students to capture
at least 225 words per minute.
require court reporters to be certified. To be certified, court
reporters must pass an exam. The NCRA confers several certifications,
from entry-level to advanced, and for particular reporting systems.
Advanced certifications may require work experience, additional
training, or a college degree.
must have excellent listening skills. In addition, speed and accuracy
are important. Good writing skills are also needed. Voice writers
must learn to listen and speak at the same time. Court reporters
working in courtrooms need knowledge of legal procedure.
|How much do Court Reporters make?
half of court reporters earned more than $29,770 and less than
$55,360 in 2002. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $23,120.
The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $73,440.
sometimes earn a salary and a per-page fee. Freelance court reporters
are paid per job and receive a per-page fee for transcripts.
held about 18,000 jobs in 2002. About 60 percent worked for governments.
Most of those worked in courts or legislatures. Most others worked
for court reporting services. Eleven percent of court reporters
of court reporters is expected to grow about as fast as the average
for all occupations through 2012. There will continue to be a
need for transcriptions of court cases. The need for television
captions will grow. The need for translating services for deaf
and hard-of-hearing persons will also grow. Fewer people are going
into this profession. This is creating a shortage of court reporters-particularly
stenographic typists. Job opportunities will be very good. Due
to this shortage, voice writers have become more widely accepted.
Still, many courts hire only stenotypists. So, demand for these
highly skilled reporters will remain high.
By 2006 all
new television programs will be captioned for the deaf and hard-of-hearing.
Also, deaf and hard-of-hearing college students can get translations
in their classes. Both of these factors should increase demand
for court reporters who can provide realtime captioning and CART
services. Providing these services requires the same skills that
court reporters use.
may prevent courts from hiring more staff. This might limit the
need for court reporters. Many courtrooms use tape recorders to
make records of proceedings. But court reporters who can quickly
turn spoken words into text will continue to be needed.
|Are there other jobs like this?
- Human resources
and information clerks
Outlook Handbook -- U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
|Where can you find more information?
For more comprehensive
information on careers see the Careers