Whenever a case goes to trial, you can find a person sitting and typing out a record of everything that occurs while court is in session. These are court reporters, and what they do is very important, because they help preserve an exact record of statements made and evidence provided. This keeps court hearings and trials from becoming vague recollections of the key events.
In the event that a person appeals a conviction or a case is retried, the court records can be crucial tools that lawyers use to prepare their case. While these are the duties that court reporters are most commonly associated with, court reporters actually complete other tasks as well. Read on to learn more about the career.
What court reporters do
One of the most common tasks that people associate with court reporters is using a stenotype machine to document every word said during a court hearing or trial (or other types of meetings such as depositions).
While typing is one of the most commonly associated tasks, court reporters may also ask to clarify details with those present, particularly if the speaker’s words were unclear. In the event that someone questions a statement given during testimony, it’s possible the court reporter will be asked to read from their record to clarify what was said.
A written account isn’t the only record of legal events that is produced. Audio records are produced and sometimes a video recording may be made. Some court reporters use their skills to produce captioning to accompany a video record, ensuring that anyone with a hearing impairment can follow the proceedings.
Court reporters may also use a different type of machine, called a stenomask, to produce a record — they are called voice reporters or verbatim reporters. There are also court reporters who record other types of events like speeches.
Job prospects and pay
Although the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has low job growth projections for court reporters from 2016 to 2026, it’s important to note that some states, such as Florida, are experiencing a shortage. As current court reporters enter retirement, it’s expected that there will be a shortage of court reporters, beginning in the next decade.
This means that those considering a career in this field should see strong job prospects. Demand for those who provide services for people with hearing impairments is also expected to rise as the population ages.
It’s also important to note that, while many court reporters do work for the government, many others do not. Court reporters can be hired by lawyers to record interviews as part of their court preparation. While 60 percent of court reporters work for local or state governments (according to BLS data), another 31 percent are employed by businesses and other court reporters are self-employed.
As of 2017, the BLS reported that the median income for court reporters in the United States was $55,120. This is notably higher than the median income for all occupations in 2017, which was $37,690. The state with the highest number of court reporters is Texas, followed by New York and Florida.
Training requirements
Those who are considering a career as a court reporter will need to complete postsecondary training and earn either a certificate or associate’s degree in this discipline. Court reporters need to be able to type at fast speeds with a very high degree of accuracy. They also need to have strong grammatical and language skills. In addition to these practical skills, they need to be familiar with court procedures and understand legal terminology.
Some states require court reporters to be licenced. Fort Lauderdale court reporters are not required to have a license because the state of Florida has not mandated licensing for court reporters at this time. However, obtaining a Florida Court Reporter certification can be an asset to those who are planning to pursue a career in this field.
Certification appeals to potential employers, and through earning a certification, you learn about both federal and state legal regulations that must be adhered to. Certification is also offered by the National Court Reporters Association, and the National Verbatim Reporters Association offers certification for those that specialize as voice reporters.
