Court Reporting

What Is Court Reporting?

A court reporter captures accurate transcripts of conversations, meetings, legal proceedings, speeches, or events and utilizes a stenotype machine to transcribe what is being communicated in shorthand.

Court reporters are sometimes referred to as stenographers or transcriptionist. Modern shorthand began with the introduction of Pitman shorthand in 1837 and was later followed by the Gregg shorthand. These early versions of shorthand was utilized in written form using pens/pencils to represent phonetic speech. 1913 allowed for the introduction of the method shorthand by machine now known as stenotype. Stenotype allows for a court reporter to touch keys in various forms resulting in short phrases.

Methods for Producing Transcripts

Currently there are five methods for producing a transcript:

Audio recordings preserve court proceedings by recording with microphones onto tapes, producing a recording on cassette.
Steno mask reporters use single track audio machines. The Gemelli voice-writing technique is an adaptation of the steno mask.
Multi-track recording cache record's both the reporters whisper and the voice s of the participant. This format has no make.
Computer Aided Transcription (CA), which is most commonly used today, works by using a modified stenotype machine. The CAT system allows for speedy and accurate creation in the creation of transcripts. CAT provides the unique capability for real time record.
Video record is made by electronically recording on videotape the participants. This format is most often used in depositions and trials and does not result in the creation of a written transcript. You must still utilize a court reporter.

Court Reporter Certification

Many states have guidelines around court reporters which requires them to maintain active certifications. Some court reporters are certified as follows:

Certified court reporter" or "CCR" means any person who is certified and has satisfied each requirement established by their local state, thereby ensuring proficiency of those practicing.
"Certified realtime" court reporter ("CRCR") means one who possesses a voluntary certification to perform realtime reporting.
“CART Reporter” means an individual who provides communication access realtime translation, by displaying a verbatim record in English on a computer terminal screen for viewing in, e.g., a courtroom or deposition suite.
"Court reporting" means the act of making the official verbatim record reflecting accurately the spoken word and nonverbal communication, by use of symbols or abbreviations, of a verbatim record of court proceedings, depositions, other judicial proceedings, meetings of boards, agencies, corporations, or other bodies or groups and causing that record to be provided or printed in a readable form or produced on a computer screen in a readable form, whether by an audiographer, court reporter, videographer, or other individual and through the use of an electronic device, stenomask equipment, stenotype machine, or other tools.
“Realtime reporter” means an individual who practices court reporting through a computer aided transcription (“CAT”) system, in the manner described under “CART Reporter” – whether through use of an electronic device, stenomask equipment, stenotype machine, written symbols, or otherwise.
"Temporary registered reporter" means a non-certified court reporter
“Videographer” means an individual who preserves a verbatim record with video equipment whether digital or tape.

In some scenarios, written documentation of what was discussed is necessary for the support of your business or a legal proceeding. This makes the role of a court reporter critical in documenting the event of what occurred, what was discussed and the terms of an agreement.

As such, a court reporters transcription is certified and can be used in the court of law supporting what was originally discussed. Various business and industries utilize court reporters from Finance, Legal, Insurance, Sports and Entertainment, Media and Telecom.

However, most court reporters work closely with an established agency supporting the legal industries, specifically with law firms, and courts.

We offer you the most experienced court reporters in the industry. On average, our court reporters have about twenty years of experience.

What Services Do Our Court Reporters Offer?

Our court reporters utilize various methods to capture and transcribe your job. From stenographic reporting which utilizes a steno-machine to capture the conversation, to real-time reporting using the steno-machine and links to a computer, immediately display the conversation as it is captured and electronic reporting using audio equipment (such as tape records, or digital recorders) to record conversations.

After capturing the conversation, the court reporter must accurately transcribe what was discussed and produce an end product resulting in an official transcript, video, or stenogram. They must ensure the final products are free from error, contains accurate grammar, correctly identifies speaking party, clearly document the discussion, and provide all key stakeholders (agency, counsel, opposing counsel, judges, etc.) with copies.

The presence of a certified court reporter is so critical that in some cases if a court reporter isn't there to transcribe and to witness a conversation, one can argue that it didn't happen or what was said didn't happen. A court reporter is crucial in documenting and ensuring accuracy in your trial court proceedings and appeals.

Our court reporters have a significant amount of experience in the industry. In addition, we are actively bringing on board fresh talent to ensure we have pipeline access to court reporting talent. All court reporters in NYC are licensed notaries and capture 225 words per minute. In New Jersey, our court reporters are licensed notaries, capture 225 words per minute and are licensed by the State of New Jersey.

State Certified Shorthand Reporter
Certified Realtime Reporter
Realtime Systems Administrator
Certified Livenote Reporters
Daily and Expedited Delivery
Electronic Transcript Delivery
On-Demand 24/7 Access
Online Scheduling
Rough Drafts