What does a court reporter do?

What is a Court Reporter?

A court reporter creates a written record of everything said during legal proceedings, such as trials, depositions, and hearings. They use specialized equipment, like stenotype machines or voice-writing technology, to capture spoken words quickly and accurately. This record is called a transcript and is used by lawyers, judges, and others to review what was said during the proceedings.

Court reporters must pay close attention to detail and be highly accurate because even small mistakes can affect legal cases. They often work in courtrooms, law offices, or from remote locations for depositions. Some court reporters also provide real-time transcripts, which allow judges, attorneys, and participants to see what’s being said immediately on a screen.

What does a Court Reporter do?

Duties and Responsibilities
The duties and responsibilities of a court reporter are important for keeping accurate records of legal proceedings. Here are key aspects of their role:

• Record Legal Proceedings: Capture everything said during court hearings, depositions, trials, and other legal events. This is done using stenographic machines, voice recording, or other transcription technology.
• Create and Manage Transcripts: Prepare written transcripts of the proceedings, ensuring they are accurate and complete. Time-stamp and index the transcripts so lawyers, judges, and others can easily find key moments. Proofread and edit them to maintain quality.
• Maintain the Official Record: Serve as the official record keeper for the court. This includes providing real-time transcription during proceedings, distributing transcripts to relevant parties, and ensuring all records are complete and impartial.
• Collaborate with Legal Professionals: Work closely with judges, attorneys, and others to make sure the court record is accurate. Court reporters may read back portions of transcripts when needed.
• Handle Equipment and Confidential Information: Operate and maintain transcription equipment, troubleshoot technical issues, and protect sensitive information by maintaining strict confidentiality throughout their work.

Types of Court Reporters
There are several types of court reporters, each specializing in different areas of the legal field. The primary distinction lies in the method they use to capture and transcribe spoken words during legal proceedings. Here are some common types of court reporters:

• Stenographic Court Reporters: Utilize stenotype machines with specialized keyboards to input phonetic symbols or shorthand codes. Stenographic court reporters are highly skilled in shorthand writing and can transcribe spoken words rapidly and accurately.
• Voice Writing Court Reporters: Use voice recognition technology to capture spoken words. Voice writers repeat verbatim what is said during legal proceedings into a voice mask, and the technology converts their spoken words into text in real time.
• Digital Audio Reporters (DARs): Record proceedings using digital audio equipment, capturing high-quality audio files that can be transcribed later. DARs may also use specialized software for organizing and editing transcripts.
• Real-Time Court Reporters: Provide instantaneous transcription of spoken words during live events. Real-time court reporters use specialized software to display a running transcript on a computer screen, allowing judges, attorneys, and other participants to view the text as the proceedings unfold.
• Freelance Court Reporters: Work independently on a contractual basis. Freelance court reporters may be hired by multiple law firms, court reporting agencies, or other entities for specific legal proceedings.
• Official Court Reporters: Employed by the court system or government agencies, official court reporters transcribe proceedings that occur within a specific court. They work closely with judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals.
• Deposition Court Reporters: Specialize in recording and transcribing depositions, which are out-of-court witness testimonies given under oath. Deposition court reporters may work for law firms or court reporting agencies.
• Closed Captioning Court Reporters: Provide real-time transcription services for individuals with hearing impairments. Closed captioning court reporters create captions that are displayed on screens during live events or broadcasts.

What is the workplace of a Court Reporter like?

A court reporter’s workplace can vary depending on the type of reporting they do. Many work in courtrooms, recording trials, hearings, and other legal proceedings. In this setting, they sit near the judge or attorneys and focus on capturing every word accurately. Some court reporters work in deposition rooms, recording out-of-court statements from witnesses and ensuring the transcript is correct for legal use.

Other court reporters work in offices or remotely, especially digital audio reporters or those doing real-time transcription for closed captioning. They listen to recordings or live feeds and create transcripts on computers. These workplaces are quieter and allow reporters to concentrate on editing and organizing transcripts. Some reporters also travel to different locations, such as law firms, conferences, or government offices, depending on where their services are needed.

Regardless of the setting, the workplace of a court reporter requires focus, attention to detail, and the ability to work under pressure. They often spend long hours typing or listening to proceedings and may need to manage multiple tasks at once, such as reviewing transcripts while preparing for the next session. Although it can be demanding, many court reporters enjoy the structured environment and the important role they play in documenting legal events accurately.