The job of court reporting is very worthwhile. Someone is always desired to document what goes on during a trial. This can be done with what is called short hand so nothing is missed when the reporter is typing. Voice recording is the other type of documenting and this is when everything that is said from the witnesses, the judge and the attorneys is recorded at during the proceedings.
Becoming a court reporter is not necessarily that easy. This person is required to take up to two years of school and get the degree of an associate before he or she will be qualified. This degree uses the same classes as any other undergraduate degree. The student is still required to take basic classes in math, science, history and quite a bit of English.
These students desiring to be in court reporting are required to learn voice recognition software and be able to be successful at using it. The voice writing is highly technical so the student will need to spend one to three hours a night on homework. Using the short handed method will take longer for the students and they will need to go to college for at least 2-4 years to be able to learn enough to be successful.
Experience is needed before a reporting candidate will be hired for position, even though he or she already has a degree. Practice of the skills is still an important part of the process, even though they were taught under a mentor and the training process has been completed. Classes will be needed for the court transcriptionists to keep up to date with his or her skills.
Lightning speed typing is required for these court reporters. Over two hundred words a minute are required by these two companies for their members. One companies says that 225 words a minute is the minimum while the other says 250 words is acceptable. The company with the higher words per minute makes its members type exactly what is mentioned in the courtroom. They are given a large responsibility in the courtroom so they need to be able to prove they are up to that task by recording everything that is mentioned.
Reporting as freelance is what many have chosen to do. There is a lot of work that is done outside of the courtroom because of the abilities they have. These trancriptionists can type for services at churches or broadcasts. They are willing to help the deaf by typing what is said on the TV for the networks. Journalism is a draw for these people as well due to the skill set they possess. Lots of different things need both fast typing and great listening ability.
An annual salary of thirty to sixty thousand is possible for a
court reporter. More money can be made by a recent program that has been made for these trancriptionists. Witnesses can purchase the work of the reporter for more research should be needed. This will provide residual income for typists. They can continue to make money even after they are done with a case.
Court reporting is a very necessary profession. It allows the court proceedings to be recorded so they can be accessed later. It makes the court system flow smoothly because of the organization they bring to the legal system. It would not be as efficient as it is now without these reporters. This is certainly a job that will remain around for the long haul.
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