Official records can be made up of written accounts of spoken words. Texts of spoken words may also be needed for letters and other uses. Court reporters make word-for-word reports of court cases, meetings, speeches, and other events. Court reporters play a critical role in legal proceedings. They are expected to create a complete and accurate legal record. Accuracy is crucial. Legal appeals can depend on the court reporter's transcript. Many court reporters organize official records. They may also search them for specific information. Court reporters provide closed-captioning and translating services for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons.

Stenotyping and voice writing are the two main methods of court reporting.

A stenotype machine allows the court reporter, or stenotypist, to press more than one key at a time. Doing so records symbols that represent sounds, words, or phrases. These symbols are saved on computer disks or CD-ROMs. They are then translated and displayed as text. This is called computer-aided transcription. Stenotype machines used for captioning are linked directly to the computer. As the reporter keys in the symbols, they instantly appear as text on the screen. This process is called communications access realtime translation or CART. It is used in courts, in classrooms, and for closed captioning on television.

The other method of court reporting is called voice writing. Voice-writing involves a court reporter speaking into a stenomask-a hand-held mask containing a microphone. The reporter repeats the testimony into the recorder. The mask has a silencer so the reporter won't be heard. Voice writers record everything that is said by persons in the courtroom. Gestures and emotional reactions are also recorded.

Some voice writers produce a transcript in real time, using computer speech recognition technology. Other voice writers translate their voice files after the event is over. Voice writers can pursue careers as closed captioners or CART reporters for hearing-impaired people.

Many court reporters record official proceedings in courtrooms. Some take statements for lawyers. Others record meetings, conventions, and other events.

Some people need captions on television programs. Stenotypists and voice writers do the captioning on television. These workers are known as stenocaptioners. They work for television stations or networks. They might caption news, sporting events, or emergency broadcasts. Imagine an emergency, such as a tornado or a hurricane. People's lives might depend on the captions made by the stenocaptioner.

Most court reporters work in comfortable settings. More court reporters work in home offices as independent contractors, or freelancers.

Work in this occupation presents few hazards. Sitting in the same position for long periods can be tiring. Workers can suffer wrist, back, neck, or eye problems. Workers also risk repetitive motion injuries. In addition, the pressure to be accurate and fast can be stressful.

Many official court reporters work a standard 40-hour week. Self-employed court reporters can work flexible hours. Some work on an on-call basis.

Training to become a stenotypist takes 33 months, on average. It usually takes less than a year to become a voice writer. Training is offered by about 160 vocational and technical schools and colleges. The National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) has approved about 80 of these. NCRA-approved programs require students to capture at least 225 words per minute.

Some States require court reporters to be certified. To be certified, court reporters must pass an exam. The NCRA confers several certifications, from entry-level to advanced, and for particular reporting systems. Advanced certifications may require work experience, additional training, or a college degree.

Court reporters must have excellent listening skills. In addition, speed and accuracy are important. Good writing skills are also needed. Voice writers must learn to listen and speak at the same time. Court reporters working in courtrooms need knowledge of legal procedure.

The middle half of court reporters earned more than $29,770 and less than $55,360 in 2002. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $23,120. The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $73,440.

Court reporters sometimes earn a salary and a per-page fee. Freelance court reporters are paid per job and receive a per-page fee for transcripts.

Court reporters held about 18,000 jobs in 2002. About 60 percent worked for governments. Most of those worked in courts or legislatures. Most others worked for court reporting services. Eleven percent of court reporters were self-employed.

The number of court reporters is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2012. There will continue to be a need for transcriptions of court cases. The need for television captions will grow. The need for translating services for deaf and hard-of-hearing persons will also grow. Fewer people are going into this profession. This is creating a shortage of court reporters-particularly stenographic typists. Job opportunities will be very good. Due to this shortage, voice writers have become more widely accepted. Still, many courts hire only stenotypists. So, demand for these highly skilled reporters will remain high.

By 2006 all new television programs will be captioned for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Also, deaf and hard-of-hearing college students can get translations in their classes. Both of these factors should increase demand for court reporters who can provide realtime captioning and CART services. Providing these services requires the same skills that court reporters use.

Limited budgets may prevent courts from hiring more staff. This might limit the need for court reporters. Many courtrooms use tape recorders to make records of proceedings. But court reporters who can quickly turn spoken words into text will continue to be needed.

• Human resources assistants
• Medical transcriptionists
• Paralegals
• Receptionists and information clerks
• Secretaries

Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook -- U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics

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