The term “court reporter” has several meanings, but it most commonly refers to individuals hired by the court to produce a complete transcript of a hearing. Those who are qualified have a good chance of finding work because it is such a difficult task. Candidates must, however, complete accredited court reporter training before being considered for work.
Several techniques are used, and court reporter training can cover them all. The most common is stenography, which involves the use of a special machine that functions similarly to a typewriter but with buttons that correspond to sounds rather than letters. Another method is voice writing, which involves the reporter speaking into a special mask that prevents other people in the courtroom from hearing what they’re saying. The reporter must repeat everything that is said and, on occasion, provide additional information about the speaker’s gestures. Electronic recording is another method, in which the reporter’s role is to supervise and maintain the equipment rather than to speak or write.
The National Court Reporters Association has accredited the majority of credible court reporter training courses in the United States. Local governments in some areas require court reporters to be licensed. This is especially true of voice writers in the United States. For people who want to work in states that don’t require a license, the National Verbatim Reporters Association offers voice writer accreditation.
The method used determines the depth of court reporter training. Electronic reporting is easier to pick up, and in many cases, a trainee can learn by shadowing a working reporter on the job and then working independently until they have mastered the skills. It takes at least a year to learn the basics of voice reporting and two or more years to master it. Stenography is even more difficult to learn, and it is not uncommon for three-year courses to be required.
A journalist assigned to court cases is also referred to as a court reporter. This necessitates a unique set of skills and extensive training. This type of court reporter is not required to make exact word-for-word recordings, but must take extremely detailed and accurate notes, which are usually done in shorthand. They must then be able to summarize these notes, highlighting the most interesting aspects of the case while remaining objective and fair. They must also have a strong understanding of the law, both to comprehend the case they are covering and to comprehend the legal constraints on what they can report.