Court Reporter

Court reporters are the guardians of the judicial system. They are responsible for creating a complete, accurate record what is said by whom at court hearings, depositions, and other official proceedings.

Trained court reporters can transcribe more than 225 words per minute with very high accuracy using a stenograph or shorthand machine.

The job market is wide open, the income potential is excellent, there's a lot of flexibility involved. Students don't necessarily have to work full time to do well financially and it is a very interesting and challenging profession. The U.S. Department of Labor projects that employment of court reporters will grow by 25 percent during the next decade, much faster than the average for other occupations.

Court reporters must create words promptly and accurately, matching the speed at which people are talking. And typing shorthand allows them not to fall behind.

In class, transcripts are dictated from actual courts and depositions. Electronic stenograph machines are the court reporters tool for transcribing every word. These machines look like compressed pianos and are set up differently from regular typewriters. When a student types on the stenograph machine, it is not words that the actual laymen can read, but they are letters.

The main difference between a stenograph machine and a typewriter is that on a stenograph machine, more than one key is pressed at a time. A Court Reporter might hit 6 or 8 keys at a time and write an entire word in the same time it takes you to hit those keys on a typewriter. With the evolution of technology, new stenograph machines allow for real time translation.

Will court reporters be replaced by technology?

No. There is no system that can do nearly as well as a human being can with the sophisticated technology available these days.

Typical Workplaces:
Court clerk's office, Attorney office, Government agencies.

Potential Salary:
Average hourly wage (2007) -$21.79
Average annual wage (2007) - $45,330.00

Projected Employment Growth (2006-2016): 24.55%

Earn Your Court Reporting Certificate Online

Take the first step to a secure, flexible and well-paying career by enrolling in an online Certificate Program in Court Reporting. These online Certificate Programs in Court Reporting offered by our accredited colleges and career training schools can often be completed within several months. Plus, they offer the scheduling flexibility to accommodate your current work and personal responsibilities.

We recommend getting information from several schools so you can compare the programs, costs, time commitments and financial aid options.

US Career Institute

Legal Transcription

Take this course and you will know how to talk to lawyers, court reporters and other legal personnel. You will know how to transcribe court reporter’s dictation because your training includes hands-on practice sessions. You actually DO the job of a working Legal Transcriptionist. Our step-by-step training includes our unique Quick-Learn Tutor System and Stenotype Keyboard Reference Card and Letter Guide—special aids that build your skills by allowing you to perform simulated Legal Transcription projects.

Related Occupations

• Paralegal
• Private Detective
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Coroner