Court Reporter Job Description

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.