Court Reporter

How to Become a Court Reporter

Court reporters are responsible for providing accurate and secure legal records. A court reporter must create a verbatim transcript of any speech, conversation, legal proceeding, meeting or other event relevant to a legal matter. Court reporters may also be expected to provide closed-captioning and real-time translating for those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Court reporters may use several different methods of reporting. These include:

  • Stenography: Court reporters use a stenotype machine that allows them to press multiple keys at once to record combinations of letters that represent sounds, words, or phrases. The combinations of letters can then be translated by a computer to view the record in legible terms.
  • Electronic reporting: Audio equipment is used to record the court proceedings and then is transcribed to written format by the court reporter.
  • Voice writing: A court reporter repeats the testimony directly into a voice silencing audio recorder and prepares the written transcripts afterward.

Court reporters can also find work outside of the court room. Similar methods can be used to record sales meetings, press conferences, product introductions, technical training seminars, and live television broadcasting.

Court reporters must be accurate and prompt, have excellent listening and hearing skills, and be experts in grammar and vocabulary.

Court Reporter Education Requirements

Court reporters are highly trained professionals. Many participate in a court reporting certification program or earn an associate’s degree. Students must be able to capture of a minimum of 225 words per minute at the end of their training to be qualified for a court reporting position.

Some states require that court reporters become licensed. Participating in a court reporting certification program usually satisfies this requirement. Other states require that court reporters be notary publics.

Job Outlook for Court Reporters

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, court reporter employment is expected to grow 25% in the next decade. This may be due to:

  • The continuing need for accurate transcription of court proceedings for legal records
  • The increasing need to provide captions for live television
  • Growing number of court cases

Court reporters can earn anywhere from $25,360 to $83,500. Salaries often depend on education, experience, and employment location.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition, and Payscale.com