Court reporter

A court reporter or stenotype reporter is a person whose occupation is to transcribe spoken or recorded speech into written form, typically using stenography equipment to produce official transcripts of court hearings, depositions and other official proceedings. Court reporters use either a stenomask or a shorthand system such as stenotype in order to keep up with the flow of speech so that they do not miss any words. The court reporter is often also a notary public who is authorized to administer oaths to witnesses, and who certifies that her or his transcript of the proceedings is a verbatim account of what was said.

Related Topics:
Occupation - Speech - Stenography equipment - Transcripts - Court - Deposition - Stenomask - Shorthand - Stenotype - Notary public - Oaths

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In the courtroom court reporters may be responsible for other duties in addition to transcription. For example, they may make suggestions regarding proper procedure, do research for items in the official record and assist in other ways. Most court reporters work outside the courtroom in depositions and other meetings that require an official legal transcript. Court reporters also often provide realtime transcription for public events, religious services, webcasts, and educational services.

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Former court reporters and graduates of court reporting schools are also employed by television producers and stations in order to provide realtime closed captioning of live programs for the hearing-impaired.

Related Topics:
Television - Producers - Stations - Closed captioning - Hearing-impaired

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Court reporters often command earnings which rival those of the attorneys whose speech they transcribe. They also receive personal gratification for the work they do with the hearing-impaired.

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