subject: Becoming A Court Reporter [print this page] By using a special tool called a stenotype, court reporters capture the sound of words in a phonetic code. This tool records each line of characters, which represents one sound or syllable that was spoken.
Stenographers transcribe judicial testimony, speeches, meetings, depositions, legal proceedings, cyber-conferences and other events. Stenocaptioners also prepare, review, and proof printed media transcripts using computer-aided transcription software.
Other judicial reporting careers include broadcasting and reporting. Legal careers in these areas are broadcast captioning and real-time reporting for webcasts for judicial proceedings.
New real-time technology allows stenographers to instantly convert speech into written text. This can then be displayed on computer monitors or projection screens for viewing by large groups in courtrooms, conference rooms, classrooms and other venues.
Other stenocaptioners use a form of captioning known as Communication Access Real-time Translation or CART. This is meant to convey the spoken word to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
In order to pursue this as a career, training for stenographers is offered by 130 programs, including proprietary schools, community colleges, four-year universities and extended educational programs. These programs must be NCRA-certified programs, and also require graduates to capture a minimum of 225 words per minute.
This speed and accuracy is a requirement for federal government employment and many other practice environments. The extensiveness of training required to become a stenocaptioner ranges from less than a year for a novice voice writer to an average of 33 months for a real-time stenographer.
It traditionally takes an individual a minimum of two years to become proficient at real-time voice writing. Electronic reporters usually operate recording equipment and do not use a steno machine.
They can be trained in as little as three months and learn most of their skills with on the job training. Many stenographers advance their careers through additional certifications that demonstrate higher levels of experience and competency.
Stenocaptioners must also master the use of the many different technologies necessary to record judicial proceedings. These include stenotype and stenographic technology, which includes computer-aided transcription software, speech recognition equipment and real-time technology.
Other essential judicial reporting abilities include listening skills and an excellent command of English grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation. Transcription speeds in excess of 225 words per minute are vital to the stenocaptioner's work as well as the ability to maintain confidentiality about what is heard in proceedings.
Stenocaptioners must also be detail-oriented, accurate, disciplined, punctual, and work well under pressure. There are many different settings to work in as a stenographer.
There are over 19,000 employed stenographers in the United States of America. More than half work for state and local governments, which proves that a large number of stenocaptioners are employed in courts, legislatures, and government agencies.
Many stenocaptioners are also employed by judicial reporting agencies and television networks. There are also a large number of stenocaptioners who are self-employed freelancers.
Stenocaptioner salaries vary according to the region of employment and type of reporting job as well as the judicial reporter's level of certification and experience. The salary for a stenographer depends on what area they work in.
The average income for a stenocaptioner is in the mid-sixty thousands. Stenographers who work as broadcast captioners earn salaries that range anywhere from $45,000 to $75,000.
Independent contractors have salaries that are ranging from $36,000 to more than twice that amount. This salary depends on the number of hours they put on-air.
The demand for court reporting services is fueled by the continuing need for accurate transcription of proceedings in courts and in pretrial depositions. If there are fewer proceedings needing transcription, there is a smaller demand for this job.
Because of the popularity of webcasting and televised courtroom proceedings, stenography in broadcasting is growing. This is stemmed from the growing need to create captions for live television.
There is also a growing need to provide other real-time broadcast captioning and translating services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. This results in a higher demand and a higher salary for broadcast stenographers.
