How Should A Court Reporter Function?

By Author: John Swift
Total Articles: 1
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A court reporter, though they are just sitting silently in a court room, plays a very big role in solving a case. Their main function is to take note and ensure that they are giving accurate transcriptions of what they have heard and seen inside the court room.

To be a successful court reporter you need to have sufficient knowledge and skills. You have to finish a particular course in which, this can help you on your goal. It should be a course which is really connected and has relevancy in becoming a court reporter. You also need to finish your degree, get internship and enough experience to be able to develop your skills.

How should a court reporter function? And what are the skills that he should have?

• He needs to have good recording skills - every person doesn’t have the same type of voice, somebody might speak loudly or softly. Somebody might speak slowly while others can speak faster. A court reporter’s function is to record in his mind, each word that one person says inside the court and directly input this into his stenograph machine. He should take note of the important words that each person ...
... is saying inside the court.

• He should be someone who has a gift in “speed typing” - a court reporter’s job is to record all the important things that he can gather inside the court room. He needs to have and develop fast typing skills. Court reporters use a special type of typewriter which is called the Stenograph machine, it is unlike the usual keyboard that has all the letters and numbers. It’s a keyboard with a few letters and the numbers aren’t aligned like a basic keyboard. Also, the approximate required speed in a stenographer is about 180-225 words per minute.

• He should deliver accurate results - speed is one factor but accuracy is a must. An Arizona court reporter should deliver accurate reports inside the court room. By delivering accurate response or results, this will give a big contribution on making a solution to a case. Your speed as a court reporter will be wasted if you are not giving quality and accurate responses. This actually applies to everybody.

• Last but not the least, an Arizona court reporter should be attentive - it is really not an easy job, because your every action is needed and is important in the court room. A court reporter should maintain attentiveness throughout the whole court hearing; he should pay attention to details to give accurate and fast response every time.

Just like any other job, it doesn’t mean that if you are talking too much you are doing all the best to contribute. Sometimes those silent types of jobs like being a court reporter, contributes even more in a situation. It takes a lot of skills, knowledge and ability to pursue and be one of the best, but once you are there and already practicing what you have learned, you have to always give your best. You, as an Arizona court reporter should know your function and apply this every time.

Court Reporting Agency Alliance Reporting Solutions is the trusted name in Court Reporting Services in Arizona.