There are not as many court reporters as there are lawyers, and yet no court proceeding will ever be held without a good court clerk present. These individuals are professionals who are skilled in the advanced technologies and techniques of recording actual dialogues and conversations. These records are verbatim, meaning that every word is exactly as the speakers said them. While most of us can take down notes from teachers, speakers, and colleagues during meetings when we do the minutes, what we usually do is to write down the gist of what the speakers are saying and not the exact word per word utterances that they give. This is where their main expertise lies: they can take down everything accurately and completely so as to create a record of the exact words that were said and the people involved in the verbal exchanges that take place. So what makes a good court reporter? Language and Listening Skills- great listening skills and an ear for accents are great characteristics to have for a court clerk. This is important because the reporter is supposed to maintain verbatim records and transcribe them on paper. Regardless if a court clerk uses a stenographic machine, an electronic recorder, or a voice recognition device, he or she must still exercise focus and attention in listening and recording court proceedings. Although some people are better at these than others, court reporters tend to develop keener listening skills as they grow and advance in their job experience. Language skills include grammar expertise which court reporters apply in the preparation of court transcripts and official records. These individuals do their own proofreading before they submit their work to the court. Accuracy and Speed- because the job requires exact records, accuracy is very important. Accuracy affects the quality of a recording and its transcript, and is crucial in establishing the integrity of court records. In fact, court reporters are trained to improve their accuracy. When they apply for licensure or certification in state licensing boards and national certifying institutions, court reporters take a test where they should attain and maintain a 98% accuracy of all records they take down and transcribe. On the other hand, speed is also important. Speed in this career refers to typing speed which affects the successful recording of court events and the timely transcription of those records. While accuracy cannot be compromised over speed, court reporters still have to maintain a certain speed rate in recording. This is to ensure that they capture what people say, and these people usually speak naturally without waiting for the court clerk to finish recording what they have just said. Speed is developed during training and is further honed on the job. Those who seek for licensure or certification have to gain a typing speed of at least 250 words per minute. Compare this to the average 40 words per minute of regular computer users, and you'll see why court reporting - stenotypists in particular - requires skills. If you're ready to take the first step to beginning an exciting and lucrative career as a stenographer, review online court reporting programs at http://www.courtreportersalaryfactsheet.com/schools/ or by visiting: court reporter diploma
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