Court Reporting
May 27
Court reporting is the transcription and documentation of speeches and judicial proceedings in a written form for the purpose of official records and legal proof. A person who performs court reporting is known as a court reporter. The two methods of court reporting are steno typing and voice writing.
A stenotype reporter is a court reporter who practices steno typing. Court stenography involves using a stenotype machine to transcribe speech using machine shorthand. On the other hand, a voice writer repeats word-for-word into a stenomask (Handheld mask equipped with a digital recorder and a voice silencer) all that which is spoken in the court by various individuals such as the judges, lawyers and others. The voice silencer prevents the court reporter’s voice from being heard thereby preventing him from disturbing judicial proceedings, while the digital recorder records his voice. Speech recognition systems in the stenomask instantly turn the voice into text in a laptop. Apart from recording speech, a voice writer also documents actions and gestures of witnesses or litigants.
Court reporting requires the court reporter to possess a multitude of skills. These include speed and accuracy of transcription, excellent hearing and listening ability, attention to detail, and excellent language and grammar skills. Voice writers should possess the ability to quickly reproduce in speech that which they hear. Court reporters should be well versed in legal terminology and judicial procedures. Court reporters also need be skilled with the equipment they use to record speech and also the speech recognition systems used to translate voice to text.
When not working in a court environment providing court transcription services, you can expect to find a court reporter doing freelance work for attorneys, providing real-time captioning for broadcast television programs or real time speech transcription services for hearing impaired individuals, and documenting proceedings or providing real time transcription services at meetings, conferences and events.