Welcome to our site where you can learn about training to become a court reporter.
A court reporter is a vital part of the criminal justice system.
They are the official keeper of records for what happens in a legal proceeding. Their main task is to accurately encode all of the official proceedings, including witness testimonies, questions, answers and decisions into what will become the public record of the event.
Court reporters create an unbiased and accurate account of what occurs while a proceeding is in session. They are trained to make a record of the events that happen during proceedings in courts and law offices, government meetings and some public hearings.
A court reporter is, in some ways, a specialized stenographer trained to record legal proceedings. These records are one of the key components of what happens in the courtroom. They allow the jury, judge and both sides of the litigation team to have detailed records they can refer back to as needed, and they will serve as the documents that can be reviewed after the case is closed. Court reporters are also called upon by the judge to read back testimony.
Besides court trials, reporters also sit in and work during pre-trial depositions and official meetings. The specific jobs are usually assigned by the local official court reporter or the court operations division. Court reporters are involved with various federal, state and local courts, legislation offices, and government business.
To be a good court reporter, you need to have strong listening and concentration skills, be accurate, work well under pressure, and be comfortable using modern recording technology. Employers typically look for graduates of accredited schools who have great listening and record keeping abilities.
Besides courts, corporations and private businesses also hire court reporters, often on a freelance basis, to record meetings. Full-time freelance reporters are regularly hired by law firms to record depositions and other legal proceedings that take place outside of the courtroom.
Court reporters in most states must pass a written certification exam and a skills test. Professionals can also show experience and competency via certification through the National Court Reports Association.
Court reporting as a career offers a nice salary, stable employment and steady hours. Maybe it’s a good career for you.
We will list schools that you can enroll in to earn a degree or the training necessary to break into the court reporting field.
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median earnings per week than workers with only a high school diploma.*