One of the more fascinating jobs, and a mysterious one as well, is that which is assigned to a courtroom stenographer (sometimes called a court reporter). Verbatim transcription is of paramount importance to all parties involved. Every minute of a court proceeding must be one hundred percent accurate. In some instances it can be literally worth a fortune; in others, it is nothing less than a matter of life and death.

Speed and Accuracy

Real-time reporting certification takes years of study, with continued class requirements, and pays handsomely. In order to gain certification, one must attain a minimum “shorthand” speed of 225 to 250 words a minute. Stenographs use a syllable-based system with only 24 or 25 keys on the keyboard. Before the stenograph, court transcripts were taken by shorthand. Earlier stenographs used paper and ink, like a silent ticker-tape, but modern stenographs are connected directly to computers.

New Connections in the Courtroom

Today, there are several different kinds of digital reporting devices and software to go along with them. USB connections allow for the essential real-time transfer of data into the computer in order to record every word spoken in a hearing. Although one might think that modern recording techniques (audio and video) would be sufficient, those are things that are used to validate the accuracy of the transcript, which remains the first line of reference.

The digital world, once it was made available to stenographers via USB-enabled recording devices, has become a lucrative place for those who have a court reporter’s certification. Transcripts of religious ceremonies, arbitration meetings, conference calls and more are seen more and more as a necessity. For those who possess the unique qualities of the stenographer, and have mastered the technology made possible by USB, the horizons have broadened considerably.