Court reporters have an incredibly important job. They use a machine called a stenographer that helps them in transcribing depositions, court sessions, and other events where accuracy is vital. Legal secretaries do typical secretarial work as well as helping lawyers research and file court documents.
If you are looking for a career in court reporting, you need to first learn the theory, then the machine and lastly concentrate on building up your speed. Remember the whole thing is about speed-building and at the end of the day it is the only thing that is going to help you the most. You will be required to pass many tests throughout your education at each speed. They’ll be in 10-word increments, so you start out at 60 words a minute, 70 words a minute, 80, 90, and you have to pass three tests at each speed at 98.5 % accuracy always. Also, once you learn everything, you need to be certified and for that you need to pass a test which is given by the state. It may be as long as two days. The courtroom testimony is at 200 words a minute, and you also have to take the written test, where you’re tested on medical terminology, legal procedure and English.
Remember people never speak smoothly so along with your program of speed building you also need to learn lots of English grammar because you are writing what people are saying and they don’t speak with periods and commas. So, for better understanding and for smooth reading you need to understand where to insert the required punctuations.
Also the most important thing that a court reporter needs to remember is that they are officers of the court and they have no say in anything. They cannot be bias to anyone. As a court reporter, one should never provide any opinion ever. Every court reporter has a right to refuse anyone who asks for any kind of opinion. It is after all the most difficult yet the most important thing needed.