The Court Reporting Career
The Court Reporting Career
Making the decision to become a court reporter isn't always easy, but an understanding of the details of the career can help shed some light on the profession and provide insight into what to expect as a court reporter. Court reporters aren't just glorified typists, so it's essential to treat the career with some respect for the vocation. The best way to learn this respect is to learn about its job responsibilities, working conditions, and expected salary.
Job Responsibilities
The job responsibilities of a court reporter include:
- Capturing speeches, conversations, meetings, and legal proceedings when written accounts of the proceedings are required by law
- Reporting depositions, interrogations, and other procedural hearings in a legal capacity
- Providing closed-captioning and real-time translation services
- Editing and proof-reading
Working Conditions
Court reporters usually work in an office setting in which a high standard of professionalism is required. Becoming a good court reporter means being an individual who can represent the profession with integrity. Court reporters represent their court rooms or agencies, so professionalism is very important.
Some court reporters are hired on a work-from-home basis, but for the most part they are hired to work in offices of attorneys or in courtrooms. The job involves a lot of sitting in the same position for extensive periods of time. A few court reporters have developed carpal tunnel syndrome from repetitive movements. Probably the best cure for this is suitable stretching and proper hand position and posture.
Expected Salary
A good, accredited court reporter can anticipate around $40,000 to $50,000 annually to start. Some court reporters, depending on skill level, earn over $100,000 annually. Freelance court reporters dictate their own earnings to a large degree, with some making the maximum rate and others making substantially more.
Compensation rates can fluctuate depending on the type of job, so keep this in mind. The experience of the court reporter, the job involved, and the location of the job can all factor in your remuneration. Official court reporters are typically salaried workers; freelancers work on a per-job rate.
Hopefully, this article has give you a positive glimpse into the field of court reporting which is both high paying and rewarding. Please contact us if you need help in finding a good school in your area! You can also check out our court reporting blog for updates.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
