The Pros and Cons of a Telephone Deposition

The telephone deposition is something you want to get right the first time! Not being able to see the parties involved can be tricky... a court reporter has to listen closely for any voice changes as well as catch mistakes as quickly as possible. Lawyers have to make sure that a great connection is established and that all legal issues pertaining to a telephone deposition has been strategically taken care of.

However, sometimes a telephone deposition just can't be avoided. More than likely a lawyer and court reporter will be faced with one during the course of their careers. One of the most common reason for telephone depositions or testimonies is because witnesses are not able to travel due to a physical illness or limitations. Regardless, it's important that court reporters and lawyers understand the pros and cons of telephone depositions just in case you are ever put in that situation.

The bad side of telephone depositions are many. The first is the possibility of a lost connection, equipment failure, or a malfunction. Malfunctions can include static, the inability of hearing the person talking or even a disconnection. To prevent this from happening the connection should be tested and all parties should attempt to be online at least 10 minutes before the call starts to make sure that everything is working properly.

Other problems with telephone depositions include the possibility of court reporters making mistakes because they can't hear or the witness making mistakes because they can't hear either. Lastly, and most obviously, is the fact that not being able to see body language is actually a huge disadvantage, especially when attempting to portray as much information on the transcript as possible... and also for lawyers to be able to change a question based on something the witness does.

Although there are certainly some precautions to consider when organizing a telephone deposition, there are some benefits as well. Some of these benefits include the ability for lawyers to get a great testimony form the witnesses because opposing counsel cannot harass them.

Lastly, it reduces the cost of travel for everyone involved and allows lawyers to control witnesses.

At CourtReporter.net our court reporters are prepared for any type of deposition regardless if by phone, video or in a traditional courtroom setting. We are prepared to provide quality service no matter what the situation. For qualified court reporters visit http://www.courtreporternet.com/. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Lawyers and Court Reporters Join Forces in Support

On January of this year lawyers and court reporters were definitely concerned about the future of deposition, court reporters, transcripts and technology in the legal system. Why? Well the Supreme Court first decided to discontinue the use of per diem court reporters during civil trials and replace them with a tape-recording system. By late January the ruling had changed to using digital recorders in the court but still using per diem court reporters to create transcripts... a true case of Man vs. Machine.

But why the change and why know? Well the other 6 trial court departments already use digital recording systems, they figured the transcripts would be produced faster, and bottom line... they wanted to save money. But the surprising part is that lawyers and court reporters were very disappointed about this ruling which proves that lawyers and court reporters are fully aware how important court reporters are to the legal system; not only during the deposition process, but also to provide checks and balances.

Lawyer and court reporter relationships an integral part of depositions and legal proceedings, that’s why it’s so important to find a reputable court reporting agency to make sure transcripts, dictation, etc. is done right the first time. Mistakes in the legal system can not only cause lots of money but can also affect many lives whether it’s someone’s job or a court ruling.

For qualified court reporters visit http://www.courtreporternet.com/. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Lawyer, court reporter and interpreter collaborations

You all ready have the deposition planned and scheduled, you already understand that a key witness speaks a foreign language, and you already know that you'll need a court reporter. However, your main concern as a lawyer is to make sure that the court reporter and interpreter work hand in hand and the transcription is perfectly executed.

In order to ensure a seamless collaboration between both parties…communication is imperative. Make sure that your court reporting service has qualified court reporter that have been trained to approach the interpreter about providing names of people and places in the foreign languages so that it can be put into place during the transcription process.

Tell your interpreter to tell the witness not to gesture or nod or say words liek "uh huh". This way your court reporter will have a clear record. Also, make sure your interpreter sits between your court reporter and your witness. Lastly, swearing in the interpreter first and then the witness with the interpreter helps in the long run.

Your court reporter should already know what to expect when faced with an interpreter. He or she has the option of requesting that the interpreter use equipment to speed up the interpretation process.

For qualified court reporters visit http://www.courtreporternet.com/. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

What to expect from a court reporting service

When choosing a court reporter service for your next deposition, remember that dependability, experience, and quality do matter. Your court reporting service should have well trained court reporters and staff that are available to answer any question are served any need you may have.
So what can you expect when you hire a hire a four court reporting service?

Well the first thing that you should expect is instant, expedited, and fast transcript delivery after a deposition. Immediately after a deposition, your court reporter should give the transcript back to you in a record amount of time. It should be accurate, it should be free of errors, and it should take less than 24 hours.

The second thing you should expect from the court reporting service is the availability of nationwide conference rooms. These allow you to be able to meet in a professional, quiet, and organized setting.

The third thing you should expect from the court reporting service is the ability to receive a transcript in many formats. These formats should include electronic delivery, as well as traditional mail delivery of the original transcript. In this technologically advanced age, electronic delivery of transcripts is not only convenient but a necessity. Other technologies offered should include real-time Internet feeds, Internet scheduling, and LiveNote.

The fourth thing you should expect from your court reporting service is a storage area for your transcripts. If something happens after a deposition, to your files, or to your office, you should have the ability to call your court reporter and retrieve your transcript. This service should be standard in all court reporting agencies.

These four things are very important when looking for a court reporting service. Other services include, but are not limited to, mini or condensed transcripts, keyword indexing, daily video grapher, toll free telephone support, and video and audio transcription.

For more information on where you can find a court reporting service that follows these guidelines to visit http://www.courtreporternet.com/. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

8 ways lawyers can get the best out of court reporting services

So you found a court reporting service and got assigned a court reporter; then it happened, the transcript was missing a few things, a name was missing, etc. It's the common mistake most lawyers make when hiring a court reporting service... not understanding how to get the best out of your court reporter.

At courtreporternet.com we want you to enjoy your experience with us and get the most out of your court reporter. You can do this by following a few guidelines during a deposition:

1. Speak clearly
2. Speak slowly
3. Have a business card on hand
4. Write your position on the card either defendant, prosecution, etc.
5. Don't talk while someone else is talking
6. Don't let the witness answer until you finish you question
7. Don't let witness answer with uh-uh or uh-huh
8. State from the beginning who is in the room to avoid disputes in the future

We know lawyers and we know court reporters! For more information visit http://www.courtreporternet.com/. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Via Illinois Bar Journal

The Origins of Court Reporting Shorthand

With our society at the most litigious time during any point in its history, court reporters are more in demand than ever. Court reporters provide a valuable service to the legal community, creating an official written record of everything that is spoken during trials, motions and depositions.

But where did the court reporting industry start? And more importantly, what are the origins of the equipment and shorthand systems used today around the world?

In order to track down the first official court reporter, one must go back to ancient time – 63 B.C. to be exact. It was in this year that a slave named Marcus Tullius Tiro, the property of the great Cicero became the world’s first shorthand reporter. Tiro first known transcription was of a speech by Cato. To help him copy every word of the speech accurately, Tiro used a series of shorthand notes and symbols. Tiro’s system was simple but groundbreaking. He used single symbols to represents full sentences, and did not record smaller, common words that he knew could be entered into the official record at a later time.

As a result of Tiro’s work, the art and science of stenography was born, and although most of the symbols he used are no longer with us, the ampersand (&) still exists and is a part of hundreds of languages around the world.

The John of Tilbury, a monk, developed the first English shorthand sometime around the year 1180. His system remained the standard in England until the 16th century when a doctor named Timothie Bright created a 500 character shorthand symbol system that would replace it.

Dr. Bright’s system was accepted throughout England until the year 1772 when it was replaced by a new shorthand system developed Thomas Gurney. Gurney worked for the government and his new, easy-to-use system of transcription and note-taking became the official shorthand of Parliament. The final switch in England’s shorthand system came in 1837 when Isaac Pittman developed a phonetics-based shorthand system that is still in use by many British court reporters today.

Across the pond, Gregg’s system was used in the courts of the United States until the invention of the shorthand machine later in the century. In 1879, a man by the name of Miles Bartholomew, who was part of what was already a growing number of professional court reports working in the American legal system, received a patent for what would become the modern typewriter. It had a single keystroke for each letter and would become a major tool of business in the decades that followed.

But for the purposes of modern court reporting, things needed to work more quickly. During the post-war era of the 1950’s the United States Military and IBM developed groundbreaking machines and software that would translate foreign languages directly into English. After this project was complete, the same team of engineers used this technology to create shorthand translation machines.

It was out of this technology that the modern shorthand machine, used today by tens of thousands of court reporters was born.

How to Hire a Court Reporter for your Next Deposition

In the course of a busy day, it is easy to forget that you need a court reporter for your upcoming deposition. With that in mind, we offer the following helpful tips for making sure that you get an accurate written record of everything that transpires during the proceedings.

1. Confirm the dates of your deposition. If the actual date of your deposition is still up in the air, then you are not quite ready to hire a court reporter. In order to avoid cancellation fees, or inconvenience the reporter herself, it is best to get the time and date set in stone before placing a call.

2. Reserve your conference room. Inside many law firms the biggest fight isn’t over who will be made partner, but rather over valuable conference room space. Make sure that you’ve got one reserved for the specific date and time of the scheduled deposition.

3. Ask for recommendations. If you are unsure about who to call to get a court reporter to work your deposition, ask other attorneys for a recommendation.

4. Determine if your deposition will take place over more than one day. In order to insure that a qualified court reporter is available for the entire deposition, be sure to determine beforehand whether or not the deposition will conclude in the span of a single day.

5. Ask about bi-lingual court reporters. If there will be languages other than English spoken at the deposition, ask the court reporter (or their service) about the availability of bi-lingual court reporters. If a bilingual reporter is not available for the deposition, you can also hire a translator after the fact to convert the record into another language.

6. Contact a court reporting service. The beauty of a court reporting service is that it takes all the guesswork out of hiring someone to transcribe your deposition. The process couldn’t be easier. Simply contact the service online or over the phone and let them know the details of your upcoming deposition. They will let you know who is available, what their experience level is and what you fee will be.

7. Be mindful of the court reporter’s time. Try not to keep the court reporter waiting around for long stretches of time before or after the deposition. Just like you, their time is valuable and always needs to be accounted for.
With these tips in mind, the scheduling and execution of your next deposition should go smoothly. Remember that although most court reporting services can send someone to you on short notice, it is always better to book ahead whenever possible.

For court reporters for your next deposition, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit http://www.courtreporternet.com/. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

The Best California Court Reporting Firm

Court Reporter Net in California is the best court reporting service in the state, hands down. Here are a few reasons why:

• We know how important it is for court reporting cases to be transcribed with complete accuracy, precision and clarity.
• We are aware that every situation has different needs.
• We are a fully qualified transcription service ready to handle court reporting in California.
• We promise to be at assignments on time
• We make sure that our California court reporters bring skill to their transcription, court reporting and videography assignments.
• They worked with some of the most prestigious law firms throughout the country
• We offer services for depositions, arbitrations, conferences, hearings, conventions or meetings
• We employ cutting-edge legal court reporters and videographers along with the most experienced certified specialists in the California area.

For court reporters, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Court Reporters and Deposition Services

Although most people believe that court reporters spend all their time in a court room, the bulk of their professional activity is much more likely to take place in a conference room at a law firm. That’s because deposition services, and not in-trial proceedings is the leading reason why court reporters are in such constant demand.

How a Court Reporter aids in a Deposition

· By providing a written record of testimony. Every deposition is valuable to the advance of that given court case, and since witnesses cannot be brought in again and again to repeat what they have said, the written record created by the court reporter must speak for them.

· By preparing a record to be used in court. If the witness being deposed is unable to appear in court, the transcript created by the court reporter will be used instead. These documents are also use to corroborate testimony during a trial. Say for example a witness is brought before the judge. They make statements that differ from those given during the deposition. Counsel is able to point out the discrepancies thanks to the written record.

· To certify any document presented as evidence during a deposition. Many court reporters are also notaries, meaning they can make any deposition-related documentation official in the eyes of the court. This may include evidence, statements and even the transcript of the deposition itself. (NOTE: Ask you court reporting services beforehand if the court reporter they are sending out is currently a notary public.)

Other Deposition-Related Court Reporting Services

One of the fastest growing legal services is Videography, and it comes into play often with depositions. More and more attorneys are choosing to videotape their depositions for the record, or use later in court. Sensing a shift in demand, court reporting services have brought in expert video camera operators to shoot and edit these depositions.

Translation and interpreter services are also offered by many court reporting services and can provide benefits for those who need to depose individuals who may not speak English as their first language (or at all). The same accuracy and speed is required of bi-lingual court reports as they must not only comprehend the second language being spoken, but create a transcript of it as well.

Millions of depositions take place in the United States each year, and for each one there is likely to be a court reporter present to create a flawless record of what is said. It is just one of the myriad ways that a court reporter provides the backbone of the legal record.

For court reporters, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Technological advances in the court reporting industry

Some lawyers are pleasantly surprised when they realize exactly how much the court reporting industry has changed. Even though stenographs are still used, lots of other technologies have come into existence that can allow a court reporter to provide services above and beyond the call of duty.

Here are some of the latest advancements that could benefit you or firm in making the decision on which court reporter would be right for you:

Laptop Computers
This is the most obvious advancement and it is slowly, but surely, taking the place of the stenograph machine. The laptop computer is allowing court reporters to increase their workload and speed daily.

Video and Transcript Comparison Software
These software options allow a videotaped deposition to be synced and viewed side by side with transcripts. It can even transcribe a court reporter’s words spoken into a mouthpiece.

Interactive Scanning
Documents and photos can not only be scanned, but can be made electronic with clickable links and instant filing. This allows paper to be saved and organization to be a click away.

There are many more technological advances in the field and when looking for a court reporter, this should definitely be examined further.

For court reporters, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Court reporter and lawyer relationships are key to litigation success

The relationship between a lawyer and a court reporter is the key to success in the litigation field for both parties. According to Wayne Cohen, who wrote on the subject in the July-August 2006 Journal For Reporting and Captioning Profession:

"Many more seasoned attorneys still haven't the slightest clue what court reporters actually do. We don't understand how court reporting equipment or software works. We have no idea how court reporters use the key strokes or how the transcripts go from the court reporter's computer to production."

That's why at CourtReporterNet.com we train our court reporters to take that extra step to ensure that clients are happy and comfortable with our court reporters. In order to make that happen, we encourage our court reporters to follow a few guidelines:

1. Always put your best foot forward by arriving to everything on time or early, especially depositions.

2. Try to have conversations on topics other than work every now and then.

3. Be prepared to listen to what everyone is talking about. Asking "How was your day?"or "Did you enjoy lunch?" can go a long way.

4. Also, smiling and being cheerful can help a court reporter stand out from the crowd. Litigation is a very serious matter, but lightening the mood a little can help put everyone at ease before and after a case.

5. Having a great attitude is self explanatory, never has anyone wanted to be around someone who never smiles and always has something wrong.

For a court reporter that can really add value, and for a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

What To Look For In A Court Reporter

Everyday hundreds of legal professionals hire court reporter firms without understanding exactly what they are looking for. A good court reporter is hard to find that’s why it's important to understand what a quality court reporter is. A quality court reporter should be:

Attentive
Outside distractions, interest in the story line, even day to day thoughts can stop a court reporter from hearing proceedings and recording them precisely. An attentive court reporter is ideal because they concentrate on every detail of the legal proceeding without falling prey to inaccurate court reporting.

Prepared
How many times has a great employee fell short because of un-organization? We've heard the story many times in today's courtrooms and unfortunately, a bad court reporter can fall into this category. Organization is key in order for a court reporter to use a stenotype machine, file documents, organize workspaces, and keep careful record of legal proceedings. Without these characteristics legal issues will turn up.

Flexible
From the long hours, to mounds of paper work, canceled proceedings, and moved meetings; flexibility is a key attribute every court reporter should have. This comes into play especially when proceedings continue past the scheduled time.

Established
An established court reporter is a mature court reporter. He or she has experience on the job and knows the importance and severity of her role in today's legal proceedings. Even when the subject matter may past a "normal" level, court reporters should not only keep their bearings but also behave in the most professional way possible.

Punctual
Lastly, and most importantly, court reporters should be punctual because in this business nothing can be overlooked or missed when it comes to people's lives. It's such an important characteristic because courtrooms will refuse to start or continue until the court reporter shows up.

Court reporting services should offer you a court reporter with combination of all these characteristics and more. For court reporters, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

How New York Court Reporters Stay Sharp

You’d be hard pressed to find court reporters anywhere in the United States who are more hard-wired into their local legal community that in New York. That’s because things happen FAST in Manhattan, and court reporters have to be ready for anything! Here’s a quick look at how they stay on top of their game.

1. Continued training and practice. New York court reporters are always looking to sharpen their skills and learn the latest techniques from within their industry. Many will take continuing education classes or just practice their typing speed at home to stay sharp.

2. Keeping their cell phone handy at all times. Sometimes attorneys need a court reporter on very short notice. Therefore, the ones who get the most work are those who maintain a flexible schedule and always keep their phones on.

3. Learning new languages. The demand for court reporters who speak multiple languages continues to grow in New York City and around the country. Reporters who become fluent in languages from Spanish to American Sign Language are looking at a steady stream of work in the years to come.

4. Maintaining a professional look. Finally, New York court reporters understand that there are certain expectations placed on them in terms of appearance. As such, they always stay cleanly groomed and keep at least three business suits at the ready in case of a lengthy trial.

With outstanding court reports in great demand through New York City and the rest of the Empire State, it is more important ever to work with a top court reporting service. Services like the ones found at www.courtreporternet.com can help you locate an outstanding reporter – even on short notice. Every court reporter at www.courtreporternet.com is hand selected for their professionalism and outstanding skill set. Visit the site today for more information!

What a Florida Court Reporter Needs to Know

Florida is one of the most diverse legal communities in the United States. Every day a wide variety of cases – everything from drug trafficking to estate planning – pass through the court houses of Miami, Tallahassee, Tampa Bay and other major cities. But what about the Florida court reporter who provides the official record of all these proceedings? Is there anything special that they need to know in order to perform their jobs to the fullest?

Here’s a quick look at what every Florida court reporter needs to know.

* An understanding of a wide variety of cases. A Florida court reporter may be working on a deposition in a drug case one day and a court hearing for a contested will the next. Having a broad understanding of the different types of court cases will serve the reporter well.



* Be bilingual. Especially in Dade County, where there is a large Hispanic population, it is a good idea to know Spanish as a means for getting more court reporting work.

* How to be professional. Most importantly, those court reporters who appear on time and always handle themselves in a highly professional manner will get the most work, no matter what part of Florida they live in.

* To be ready on short notice. Many court reporting agencies offer their reporters out for hire on very short notice. That means Florida court reporters must be ready to put their “game face” on in a matter of just hours.

Your business needs top court reporters. To work with a top court reporting service in your area, visit www.court-reporter.net today!

How to get the most out of your court reporting agency

So you’ve got an upcoming court case or deposition and need a certified, top-flight court reporter to transcribe the event. Contacting a court reporting agency is the fastest, easiest way to get the professional help you need to handle the job.

The following are some helpful tips to help you get the most out of the court reporting agency you choose.



* Explain the specifics of the job. The easiest way to insure that you get the right person for the job from your court reporting agency is to explain, in detail, everything the job entails. This way, the court reporting agency can search all their available employees for the right reporter with the ideal background. Remember, the more specific you can be the better!

* Call in advance. While most court reporting agencies can send you someone on short notice, there may be a premium on the last-minute service, and the selection of court reporters will always be better the longer the lead time you give the agency.

* Ask for references. If you feel unsure about working with a court reporting agency for the first time, ask the company for professional references. Reputable agencies will have no problem providing you with this information.

* Provide accurate information. Make sure that the court reporting agency knows the exact address of where the meeting or hearing will take place, and the specific time it will begin. This will help the court reporter get there on time, and greatly reduce the chance that the proceedings will be held up because of a tardy reporter.

Your business needs top court reporters. To work with a top court reporting service in your area, visit www.courtreporternet.com today!

Court reporting agencies less impacted by the economic crisis

While few Americans (save the 1% of the population that is the wealthiest) will go unscathed through the current economic crisis, court reporters should breathe a little easier than most. The fact is that although times are tough, court reporting agencies remain busy. Why? Consider the following facts.

* People are still litigious. The residents of the United States continue to sue one another at a higher and higher rate each year – regardless of the economy. This represents steady work, and increased demand for court reporters.

* Court reporters can’t be laid off. If there’s a court case, you are going to need court reporters. If times are tough, a law firm may cut back on the donuts and coffee, but they will always need someone to provide a transcribed, official record of events.



* Demand for court reporters still far outstrips the supply. Even if there were a slowdown in the legal field, there are still barely enough court reporters to go around, making the industry recession-proof for at least the foreseeable future.

The economic downturn doesn’t benefit anyone in America – but that doesn’t mean some people won’t make it through better than others. Put court reporters on the favorable side of that coin.

With outstanding court reports in greater demand, it is more important ever to work with a top court reporting service. Services like the ones found at www.courtreporternet.com can help you locate an outstanding reporter – even on short notice.

Five things a court reporter can do better than you

We all look at certain jobs and sniff, “heck, I could do that!” But when you consider everything a court reporter is able to accomplish while on the job, you may have to rethink that position of superiority.



To plead the case, here are five things a court reporter can do better than you!

#1 They type faster - Sure, it may be on those strange looking steno machines, but qualified court reporters can still torch the competition by reaching speeds of over 200 words per minute. Try topping that on your next company-wide memo.

#2 They’re more accurate – Not only do court reporters reach blazing speeds, they do it while rarely making mistakes. We hit the backspace button approximately 145 times while writing this blog entry. A court reporter would have pulled it off flawlessly on the first pass.

#3 They focus better – You can’t type a one page thank you letter without checking your email and updating your Facebook status twice. Court reporters know that they have a job to do and never let any distraction in the court room or the deposition room distract them from that task.

#4 They dress better than you – Court reporters always look sharp. Appearing in front of judges and high-powered attorneys all day, it’s an absolute must! Have you checked to see if your shoes match your belt today?

#5 They worry less about their job security – Court reporters are in demand. A slowdown in the number of people attending court reporting school (coupled with the rise in court cases) has made this a fantastic time to become a court reporter. Court reporters enjoy flexible working hours and lucrative salaries.

For the best court reporters around the country, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction.

The top 7 best states to be a court reporter

The United States is one of the most litigious countries in the world. Every day, millions of Americans bring legal action against their fellow citizens, and while it might not be good for them, court reporters have reaped the benefits of all these court cases.


Yes, court reporters are in demand now more than ever, but some states feature more opportunities than others. The following is a list of the best states for court reporters in terms of the demand for their services (cost of living, quality of life and other issues have not been included in this discussion).

The seven best states to be a court reporter

1. California – The biggest state in the country is also the most litigious. Court reporters in California are always in demand around the major urban centers of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento and San Diego and the countless small towns in between.

2. Florida – With its huge elderly population, Florida is also home to countless disputes over the estates of its deceased residents. That means there will be a call for court reporters to record depositions and court hearings regarding will, trusts and other estate planning matters.

3. New York – Inside New York State you’ll find Manhattan, and in Manhattan you will find the
most vibrant legal community in the world. Court reporters in New York can take on more work in the course of a day because of the physical proximity of all the law offices in Manhattan.

4. Illinois – Not much going on in Illinois…oh, except for Chicago – home to some of the most well-regarded legal minds in the country. Chicago court reporters may be called to work on Federal cases as well as those regarding the byzantine, always colorful local political scene.

5. Texas – Texas court reporters may find themselves working on a wide variety of case types
on any given day. The Lone Star State is home to immigration cases, large corporate anti-trust suits and even narcotics-related cases stemming the activity of drug cartels operating across the border in Mexico.

6. Nevada – The fastest growing state in the U.S., Nevada is a good place for a court reporter to set up shop. Because the population growth is such a recent occurrence, there is a chance for a court reporter to establish a comprehensive “network” as a trusted source on Nevada legal proceedings (as they pertain to court reporting and the filing of legal documents).

7. Louisiana – With Hurricane Katrina came a bevy of legal proceedings. Although it has been two years since the storm, there will likely be enough litigation in the New Orleans area alone to last for many years. Since many skilled professionals left the area after the Great Storm, there is a high demand for court reporters in the area.

For the best court reporters around the country, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Questions to ask if you’re considering a school for court reporters

Not all court reporting schools are created equal. Some are better equipped to help budding court reporters enter the competitive job market than others. But how do you know the difference between a top flight school for court reporters and a fly by night operation?

Here are five simple questions every prospective student should ask about their potential
training program.



1. What are the job placement rates? Ask about how many students have been placed into court reporting jobs in the past year or two.

2. How many students graduate from the program? Want to know if a program is worth taking? Simply ask about graduation rates and you’ll get your answer. If 90% or more people stuck it out until the end, you know there’s some value there.

3. Do the instructors have experience? You want to be taught by people who know the industry best, so always look for programs taught by people who are in the front lines of the court reporting business right now.

4. Do you have to bring your own steno machine? It may sound silly, but this is a perfectly legitimate question to ask up front. Steno machines are expensive, and eventually you will have to buy one if you pursue a career in court reporting, but many schools supply the device to its students for use in the coursework.

5. May I speak to some alumni? Graduates of the program are going to give you a more unbiased opinion about the school and whether or not it is worth investing in. Ask for an Alumni Guide, or access to some names and phone numbers of those who have completed the program.

For the best court reporters around the country, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Court reporters more in demand than ever

Court reporters play a crucial role in the legal system. They are the official record bearers of all court proceedings, depositions, hearing and other official meetings. And with a country that is more litigious than ever before, one would have to believe that more and more individuals are entering the court reporting field.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Recently, the National Court Reporting Association reported that their ranks had thinned in recent years. For evidence, they pointed to several key statistics:

· There are now only 130 schools across the United States that offer classes in court reporting – down significantly from the late 20^th century

· The number of court reporters registered with the NCRA is down to 23,000 – the lowest levels in two decades.

· Perception of the job is constantly referred to as “old fashioned” and “out of date” by those surveyed.

What is odd about these numbers is that the average court reporter earns almost $70,000 dollars per year and enjoys a tremendous amount of flexibility in their hours. They also work with the latest technologies and gain entrée in the legal profession that even most law students can’t claim to have.

For those wondering about the longevity of this career choice, they need look no further than the case of Margaret Wasmund, an award-winning court reporter who has built a stable, rewarding career in the business. Wasmund echoed the call of many in the legal profession when she said, “we do need more reporters and I think there are fewer than there once was. I just don't know where they are!”

With outstanding court reports in greater demand, it is more important ever to work with a top court reporting service. Services like the ones found at courtreporternet.com can help you locate an outstanding reporter – even on short notice.

Are terror Prosecutions in Jeopardy?

Could President Bush's refusal to obtain warrants ultimately prevent the prosecution of known terrorists?



Kate Martin, Director of the Center For National Security Studies, and veteran Supreme Court reporter Lyle Denniston join Professor Connie Rudnick on this episode of The Massachusetts School of Law Educational Forum, Spying on Americans.