Career in Court Reporting
Using a steno machine or voice writing software, court reporters are taking down every spoken word in a court room! A court reporter is noting “word for word” the dialogue in a legal proceeding… they are transcribing accurately for a legal record. The exact words typed in are critical to the decision rendered in a given court case. It is a skill that must be learned, practiced and studied with a great deal of patience.
An interest in the legal field along with strong grammar and punctuation skills can lead you to a career as a Court Reporter. Combine this with strong listening skills and you have a winning formula to become a court reporter.
Where do Court Reporter's work?
- *30% work in a courtroom
- *60% are freelance court reporters
- *10% work in close captioning
What are some of the different types of reporting?
Freelance Reporting |
Caption Reporting & CART | Official Court Reporting |
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What are some common characteristics of a highly effective court reporter?
- Knowledge of punctuation and grammar
- Knowledge of worldevents
- Attitude
- Motivation
- Professional Appearanc
- Confidentiality
- Punctuality
- Respect
Where do you find training?
Generally a two year to a four year program at either a technical (career) school or college will open the pathway for you to begin prestigious work as a Court Reporter!
How many keys are on a steno machine (also called a steno writer)?
The keyboard has 24 keys and a number bar. The keyboard is also arranged into three sections. The left section writes initial sounds of words, the right section writes final sounds of words and the bottom middle section writes all the vowel sounds between the beginning and final sides. That is why you can write certain words of phrases with one stroke!
How is the job market?
The Training for Closed Captioners Act of 2001 authorized Congress to spend $75 million to train “Real-Time Writers” due to the need for captioning. The U.S. Department of Labor reports job opportunities are expected to grow anywhere from 9% to 25% by the year 2016!
Does this career choice offer flexibility?
Absolutely! It is easy to work part time or full time, based upon your own individual needs. Some court reporters do freelance work which allows them the option of working from home.
Who is NCRA?
National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has certified approximately 70 programs. NCRA certified programs require students to record al least 225 words per minute.
Who is or was the most famous court reporter of all?
Charles Dickens! (He was a shorthand reporter for Parliament and freelanced for many newspapers. He is also the famous author of “A Christmas Carol”).
What is your next step to learning more?
There are approximately 300 schools that offer court reporting programs but remember, the majority are not accredited by NCRA (National Court Reporters Association).
Editorial is provided by the Academy of Court Reporting and Technology in Pittsburgh, PA.
