| There’s a lot of misinformation floating around | | | | can do except…report |
| out there about court reporters and the services | | | | Fact: Now, more than ever, court reporters can |
| they provide the legal and business community. This | | | | provide a wide variety of services not only to law |
| article is designed to help separate myth from fact | | | | firms but the general business community as well. In |
| surround court reporters and the work they provide | | | | addition to court room and deposition transcriptions, |
| their clients. | | | | court reporters use their speed and accuracy to |
| Myth #1: Court reporters are just glorified typists | | | | perform real-time closed captioning for the hearing |
| Fact: Court reporting is one of the most demanding | | | | impaired, transcribe the spoken word in audio and |
| fields in and around the legal profession. Unlike typists | | | | video materials and even give businesses a way to |
| or word processors, court reporter must listen to, | | | | create records of shareholders meetings and other |
| and translate the human voice with incredible | | | | important corporate events. |
| Myth #2: Technology will replace the court reporter | | | | Myth #6: Most of a court reporters time is spent in |
| Fact: One would think that by now computers and | | | | the court room |
| video equipment would have rendered the court | | | | Fact: Like the legal community they serve, a large |
| reporter obsolete. But the fact is, there is no | | | | percentage of the court reporter’s billable time is |
| substituting the human element in court reporting. | | | | not spent in front of a judge. Instead, it is much |
| Court reporters can provide essential emphasis on | | | | more likely to find a court reporter in a law office |
| words and phrases and other vital portions of the | | | | working on a deposition. The court reporter’s |
| process. | | | | work on a deposition is crucial, as they create a |
| Myth #3: Court reporters are all women | | | | written record of testimony that can be used as |
| Fact: The historical image of the courtroom | | | | evidence, or to corroborate that witness’ story |
| stenographer is that of a dapper-looking woman | | | | once they do appear in court. |
| sitting cross-legged in the court room. But now, the | | | | Myth #7: Court reporters look different than |
| profession is almost equally divided between men and | | | | everyone else in the courtroom |
| women. | | | | Fact: Professional, experienced court reporters |
| Myth #4: A good court reporter is hard to find | | | | always dress and conduct themselves in such a way |
| Fact: Although court reporters are always in demand, | | | | that represents their clients well. In fact, it should be |
| it is now easier than ever to find a good one thanks | | | | hard to tell the court report from the attorney in |
| to the Internet. Many top court reporting services | | | | most cases. Court reporters arrive on time and never |
| now use the web to give their clients the power to | | | | make themselves the focal point during proceedings. |
| book court reporters or transcribers with the click of | | | | To perform the duties with perfection, and NOT be |
| a mouse. | | | | noticed is essence of their work. |
| Myth #5: There’s not much else a court report | | | | |