Equipment for Court Reporting

Court reporters create transcripts of legal proceedings, such as hearings and depositions, and any other meetings where a transcript of the written word is needed. They are responsible for ensuring the legal record is complete and accurate. Court reporters create and transcribe the legal record using specialized equipment. Thus, the court reporter's equipment is an extremely valuable part of his job.

Stenograph Machine

A stenograph or stenotype machine is used to create shorthand. It is the most commonly used piece of equipment by court reporters. The stenotype keyboard only contains 25 letters. Court reporters create coded letter combinations for commonly used phrases. To pass the official licensing test (the Registered Professional Reporter Test), court reporters must type over 225 words a minute using this machine. Traditional stenograph machines generate a paper transcript; modern machines allow the transcript to be transferred to a computer that then interprets the shorthand.

Stenomask

A stenomask or voice silencer covers a court reporter's mouth and has a built-in microphone. The stenomask allows the court reporter to repeat everything the parties are saying without anyone else hearing it and also keeps background noise away from the microphone. The reporter can also dictate instructions to the person who will transcribe the audio. Stenomask court reporters can exceed 180 words a minute with very little inaccuracy.

Audio Recorder

Electronic reporting is the new wave of court reporting. Electronic court reporters use audio recorders, digital or analog, to register legal proceedings. The electronic recording process is overseen by a court reporter who takes notes at the same time regarding the proceedings. Digital recording systems can link the reporter's notes to corresponding points in the recording. The transcript can also be transferred over the Internet.

Laptop Computer

Court reporters need a PC-compatible laptop to carry with them to court proceedings. Laptops can be used to take notes and to send and prepare transcripts. In addition, laptops can be linked to stenograph machines for real-time captioning. The text appears on the screen as soon as the court reporter keys in the symbols. This process, called Communications Access Realtime Translation (CART), is used for closed-captioning for the hearing impaired on television, as well as in courts and classrooms.

Software

There are a number of software programs utilized by court reporters. Digital court reporters need recording and transcription software. Recording software allows the court reporter to use her computer for digital recordings. The reporter can mark questions and objections and enter notes. Transcription software can translate the key symbols into a transcript directly onto the computer and also send it to an attorney or judge's computer as it is being made. Other types of software include scheduling and billing software, as well as closed-captioning software.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook for Court Reporters
• The American Association of Electronic Reporters and Transcribers
• National Court Reporters Association

Resources

• StenoTech
• The Court Reporting Store