Court Reporter Job Profile and Description

All judiciary courts employ Court Reporters or Stenographers responsible for creating verbatim transcripts of trials, hearings and other court proceedings using a number of technologies, the most common of which is stenography.  These transcripts become legal documents that are used as official records and legal proofs.

Court Reporter Duties and Responsibilities

  • Ensure complete, accurate, and secure legal records of all court hearings and trials.
  • Assist judges and trial attorneys in organizing and searching for information in the court’s official record database.
  • Provide closed-captioning as well as real-time translating services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
  • Alternatively use digital or analog audio equipment to electronically record court proceedings, monitoring the process with side remarks on who is talking.
  • Create and maintain the computer dictionary used to translate keystroke codes or voice files into written text.
  • After documenting proceedings, edit the computer-generated translation for correct grammar and provide accurate identification of proper names and places.
  • Make copies and provide information from the transcripts or stenograms to courts, attorneys, parties, the press and the general public upon request as approved by the court magistrate.
  • Develop procedures for easy storage and retrieval of all stenographic notes, voice files, stenograms and audio recordings in paper or digital format.

Court Reporter Skills and Specifications

  • Excellent command of stenographic devices
  • Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills

 

Court Reporter Education and Qualification

  • A vocational course as a verbatim reporter from any of the schools accredited by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) is basic.
  • Passing the state licensure exams to become a Certified Verbatim Reporter while some states require passing the Certified Court Reporter exam from board examiners.

 

Court Reporter Salary

Court reporters in 2008 had a median annual sally of $49,800 with the middle 50% earning between $35,400 and $67,500. The lowest paid 10% got around $25,400 while the highest paid 10% took in about $83,500. The median annual salary was $51,200 for court reporters working in local government.

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