| The court reporter is a professional entrusted | | | | A court reporter needs to have good hearing. |
| with the responsibility of accurately transcribing | | | | This is an oftentimes overlooked requirement. |
| the words spoken in courtroom hearings, | | | | During depositions, court reporters sit in close |
| depositions, and legal meetings. In a courtroom | | | | proximity to speakers, but during actual |
| setting, he or she can be seen seated in a fixed | | | | courtroom hearings, they may sit at a distance |
| spot, often before the judge, typing away | | | | from the witness stand and the judge. Good |
| non-stop at a machine. Aside from capturing the | | | | hearing is important in catching the words |
| proceedings, the reporter may be tasked to | | | | correctly when people speak all at the same time. |
| provide an instant replay whenever statements | | | | A court reporter needs to have good English skills, |
| need to be clarified, or when sections of the | | | | which includes grammar, spelling and punctuation. |
| proceedings are vague or ambiguous. | | | | It is important that the transcript be 100 percent |
| How does one become a court reporter? | | | | accurate since it is the only record of what |
| One can become a reporter by completing an | | | | actually transpired during the legal proceedings. |
| Associate of Arts degree to learn more about | | | | A court reporting professional need to be |
| legal terminology and to learn how to operate the | | | | computer literate. He or she needs to be |
| equipment used in recording courtroom | | | | thoroughly familiar with the speech recognition |
| proceedings. Again, completion of this 2-year | | | | equipment and stenotype machines that are used |
| course is not a hard and fast rule. Eligibility is | | | | in the courtroom. |
| based on passing certification tests or licensing | | | | A court reporting professional needs to have a |
| standards, which vary according to the state | | | | basic knowledge of the law. To this end, a 4-year |
| where the individual wishes to work. A uniform | | | | bachelor's education becomes an advantage over |
| requirement for any state certification has, | | | | a 2-year associate degree. But in any case, a firm |
| however, been set by the National Court | | | | grasp of legal terminology will work to the |
| Reporter's Association (NCRA), which has a | | | | advantage of the court reporter and others |
| minimum requirement of 225 words per minute | | | | working in the legal arena. |
| for transcribing spoken words. One can also | | | | Does it pay to become a courtroom reporter? |
| become a certified courtroom reporter under the | | | | Courtroom reporting has been described as a |
| NCRA upon completion of a qualifying examination, | | | | high-paying job that requires only two years of |
| and upon enrollment in continuing education | | | | training. In fact, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| classes. | | | | states that in 2004, more than fifty percent of |
| So again, the process varies from state to state. | | | | courtroom reporters earned between $30,690 |
| In fact, there are states that require the court | | | | and $60,750; employment is expected to grow |
| reporter to be a licensed notary public as a | | | | by 25 percent in the coming years. The potential |
| requirement for certification. | | | | for growth in this career is evident; this is a job |
| What abilities does a court reporter need to | | | | that indeed brings in high rewards. |
| have? | | | | |