Court reporters create transcripts of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events. They are responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate, written legal record.
In addition to preparing and protecting the legal record, many court reporters assist judges and trial attorneys in a variety of ways, such as organizing and searching for information in the official record or making suggestions to judges and attorneys regarding courtroom procedure.
Court reporters also provide closed-captioning and real-time translating services to the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Common responsibilities include:
- Preparing a written transcript of all spoken legal proceedings
- Organizing and searching for information pertinent to the case
- Making suggestions on procedure and administrative procedures
- Provide close-captioning to the deaf and hard of hearing
Requirements to be a court reporter vary from state to state. A certification exam is usually required and good listening and typing skills are a must. One and two year courses are available at most universities.
Prospects for employment as a court reporter are excellent as the number of jobs currently outnumbers the number of job seekers. The average annual salary for a court reporter is $45,000 a year.
Related Pages:
College and School Programs – Legal Studies and Reporting
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor