A court reporter, also known as a legal transcriptionist, records testimony at court proceedings and meetings related to these proceedings. In most cases, his transcription must accurately reflect the testimony of all witnesses. His job could be on the staff of a court or law firm, or he could work on a contract basis with various courts and attorneys.
In most legal proceedings, a written record of every word spoken is required, as well as a record of nonverbal gestures and physical reactions that may affect the meaning and impact of the words spoken. This service is provided by a legal transcriptionist. He frequently records transcripts of legal proceedings such as trials, depositions, hearings, and meetings.
For many years, a legal transcriptionist had only one tool with which to complete his work. A stenotype is a stenographic recording machine with a small keyboard that is coded to record phrases rather than letters. The codes are translated into words and sent to a computer almost instantly. This allows the reporter to record the testimony more quickly and accurately. For even greater speed and efficiency, some stenotype models allow the user to program specific words and phrases into them before each job.
A number of legal transcriptionists have used voice-writing equipment in recent years. The reporter speaks into a stenomask, which is inaudible to the court, and the words are transcribed using voice recognition software onto a computer screen. A smaller number of courts and attorneys accept this method of transcription than stenotype.
A legal transcriptionist is typically required to edit the record of the proceedings at the conclusion of each proceeding. Grammar, spelling, and punctuation, as well as syntax and style, are all expected of him. When a document is free of errors, it is customarily copied and distributed to all parties involved, with one copy going to the court archives.
A good hearing ability and a high level of manual dexterity are usually required for success as a legal transcriptionist. It’s crucial for him to be able to distinguish between voices that are frequently overlapping. This position necessitates a high level of attention to detail. Successful transcriptionists are known for being well-organized.
Legal transcription courses are commonly available at colleges and technical institutes. On-the-job training is available in some court systems. There are also online courses available. In some jurisdictions, certification of training is required before hiring a legal transcriptionist.