If a court reporter isn't able to hear a speaker in court, or if a speaker interrupts someone, the reporter is required to ask those speaking to repeat what they said, court reporter Karen Morris has said. Now, more court reporters are speaking up when budget cuts in North Carolina would cut the the number of court reporters in half. 

The North Carolina budget, which has been proposed by the state Senate and is currently going through the House would replace the number of state court reporters with audio recording technology. In response to this news, state court reporters, district attorneys and others involved with the court system are working to keep this from happening. 

While this change would save money in the short run, "opponents are concerned about using electronic recording devices in the courtroom because transcripts can be riddled with inaccuracies," WRAL, a Raleigh news source, explained that "One transcript, for example, had 148 places where the sound was inaudible."

When this happens, as the news source explained, dispositions may not be "handled properly" and the integrity of the case may be compromised. Sometimes, defense attorney Mike Reece said, this means an entire new trial, taking away from the proposed cost savings this change is intended to produce. 

While the budget proposals are still going through the legislative process, the opposition of many different parties is important to note. As attorneys explained to the news source, audio technology doesn't have the ability to record depositions in the same way as certified court reporters, and if this change results in additional trials and inaccurate transcripts, the cuts will not be worth it. 

It's easy to understand the importance behind having every single word recorded during a deposition, as the word "not" or the misspelling of a word can change the entire meaning of a transcription, and consequently alter the outcome of a case. But something that does not seem as obvious, but is in fact just as important, is having the correct punctuation, as an instructor at the Prince Stenograph School recently said. 

Brianne Demma explained in a blog post in February that knowing proper punctuation and grammar rules is vital to having the correct meaning of a sentence.

"Court reporters need to be vigilant not to misconstrue the meaning behind the words they are transcribing," she wrote. "I am reminded of one of my favorite punctuation jokes. This joke displays a picture of an elderly woman surrounded by the sentences 'Let's eat Grandma' and 'Let's eat, Grandma.'"

When editing their transcripts, she also explains, court reporters must know the "foundations of the English language," to be able to convey the exact meaning of what was said in the court room, one of the reasons certified court reporters take English classes in addition to learning transcription rules. With any uncertainties of grammar or punctuation rules, the integrity of the transcript may be compromised, hurting both the court reporter and those involved with the case.

This, along with many other reasons, is why having the proper English training and education is vital to any court reporter. For lawyers in Wisconsin, partnering with a certified court reporter can ensure that all depositions are accurately transcribed. 

While a new court reporter or a current student may think the only things that matter in the profession are the speed and accuracy with which statements can be transcribed, there is one other thing that is simply critical for a reporter to have: a sense of ethics.

Court reporters are responsible for creating the official record in many different situations. In this way, they can be seen as having the "last word" in any deposition, trial or other event. This is a tremendous position of public trust for an individual to be in, which is why it is essential for court reporters to not only act ethically at all times, but also ensure that their behavior never gives off the appearance of any type of bias or conflict of interest.

Any failure on this front could significantly damage the reputation of certified court reporters everywhere. The National Court Reporters Association's (NCRA) Code of Professional Ethics offers a concise set of guidelines to help working reporters ensure that they are on their guard against "not only the fact but the appearance of impropriety" and able to "maintain the integrity of the reporting profession."

To promote awareness of the importance of impartiality to the court reporting profession, the NCRA is currently pushing a program called Ethics First. The initiative encourages court reporters to educate their colleagues, including lawyers and members of their staff, about the need for them to maintain neutrality in both fact and appearance.

To become a realtime court reporter, one has to acquire a particular set of skills that involve being able to listen and quickly process a great deal of dialogue while writing all of it at a high word rate. Of course, this must all be done accurately to the point where it can be used as evidence in future legal proceedings.

However, there's much more to court reporting services than a professional with a particular set of skills. In order for depositions and trials to be recorded efficiently, court reporters must have access to the right equipment. In a recent blog post, Kim Neeson of the court reporting firm Neeson & Associates looked at this idea in the context of another practice: skiing.

In her piece, Neeson compared one's ability to succeed in court reporting to a recent ski trip. Previously, the author was a serviceable skier, but felt as though she was "slogging" through the snow, causing her to feel achy afterwards. However, after using higher grade equipment, Neeson noticed her skiing improve to the point where she was keeping up with other skiers and no longer felt sore.

"This is akin to what I preach about court reporters having the latest equipment and technology – it will make you better," Neeson wrote. "You definitely have to have the skills – no doubt about it – but having the tools to work with that are modern and can take advantage of the latest technological know-how is absolutely essential to performing at your peak."

Wisconsin court reporters need to have the proper equipment to make sure that any legal proceedings they're involved in are composed in a manner that will make the official record suitable for evidence later on.

When Karen Morris, a certified court reporter, is asked about her job, she has replied with "It's the only job I know of where you can get sent to jail and still have to work." Not only does her work take place in a court room, but if a reporter doesn't meet his or her filing deadlines, they could be jailed, and would still be required to finish their work.

Morris, a resident of Pampa, Texas, has worked as a court reporter for 30 years, first for the 108th District Court, and for the past five years as a freelancer. She has also served as the president for the Texas Court Reporters Association, and liaison from the association to the Court Reporters Certification Board. 

When Morris began her career, she told the Pampa News that one of the reporters she replaced once took notes by hand. Since then, Morris has moved from working on Stenotype machine that records onto a roll of paper, to her recently acquired $6,000 machine, not including the software, that records onto a flash drive. Considering Morris recorded 8,000 pages for a case earlier this month, having the most up-to-date technology is vital. 

Morris also said that even as she upgrades her machines, she collects tools from all over the world, including a 100-year-old Stenotype machine. 

In a profession where every word is required to be 100 percent precise, having the best technology and certified court reporters can make all the difference. Even for court reporting veterans, like Morris, staying up-to-date on all possible resources can help provide the most accurate transcript. 

Previously on this blog, we discussed the ethics involved in realtime court reporting, specifically dealing with conflicts of interest. However, one of the biggest duties of working in the legal system involves confidentiality, an aspect of the job that groups like the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) take very seriously.

While accuracy and speed of work are usually looked upon as the primary qualities in a court reporter, they mean very little unless the individual treats the case and the official record as confidential information.

"As 'guardians of the record,' NCRA members and the court reporting profession as a whole have traditionally and historically placed the highest value on the accuracy, impartiality, security and confidentiality of the records they are creating," the NCRA says on its website. "While recognizing the need for efficiency and the client's legitimate desire to manage costs, ensuring the confidentiality and security of the information contained in the records that court reporters and health professionals create remains a fundamental and inviolable obligation."

According to the Kramm Court Reporting, those responsible for working a particular hearing or trial must be able to produce a confidential – or "attorneys' eyes only" – copy of the record upon request. This plays a large part in the reporter's role of allowing those in the legal proceedings to look back upon the record. However, they must be able to perform this task without compromising the integrity of the case at hand. In order for the reporter to remain an impartial part of the trial process, he or she must not allow any details to leak out into the hands of unwanted parties. If this were to happen, the eventual decision could be swayed.

The best way to make sure transcripts for local cases stay confidential is to seek out the services of a Milwaukee court reporter.

When it comes to the discussion of realtime court reporting in the context of a legal procedure, there's a stark contract between its importance in the eyes of the public and in the eyes of those within the court system. For example, there are few in the local legal profession who don't have a healthy respect for Wisconsin court reporters. However, in the public sphere, the idea that the court transcript is vital to any court hearing is often overlooked.

This is why many outlets take the time to examine the idea of what a court reporter does and why the profession is so important. The latest such outlet is Sadaka Associates, a law firm that is based out of New York and New Jersey. In a blog piece posted in the website's blog, the firm detailed the specifics of the profession.

"A court reporter acts as an officer of the court," the article says. "While many court reporters record events that take place inside of the courtroom, others record meetings or depositions that occur at an attorney's office or other location outside the courtroom. When a court reporter is present, it reminds the participants that the meeting or deposition is part of the official record in the case and that everyone should behave and respond accordingly."

The article goes on to discuss the importance of a court reporter's role in providing the official record, especially in depositions. When an individual speaks, it's important that his or her statements are recorded before trial proceedings and that each side has an accurate copy of what those statements are. This way, should there be discrepancies at a later hearing, either the prosecution or defense can point out flaws in the testimony.

Much of the discussion on this blog centers around the importance of certified court reporters to the legal system and the benefits of having a specially trained individual to handle the transcription services of a legal proceeding. What bears just as much discussion, though, is the number of advantages that court reporting as a profession has for those who choose to enter the field. According to a recent story for Los Angeles-based career opportunity company Working World, the perks are certainly worth giving the profession a serious look.

The article, which was written by Katy Allgeyer, delves into the many ways that court reporting can provide those without a law degree with a fulfilling career that keeps them well engrained in court proceedings. As the article says, what other career can bring an individual into the midst of a trial without having to go to law school?

Allgeyer also lists the financial and logistical benefits of becoming a court reporter, which includes a flexible schedule that can still be profitable.

"Court reporters earn big bucks, but it's the lifestyle that attracts most people to this profession," the story says. "Also known as 'stenographers,' they are the mavericks within the legal system because they are generally highly-paid independent contractors setting their own hours. Speed and accuracy are the most important skills."

According to the story, a reporter can work just two days a week and make an annual salary of $50,000, while certified court reporters with an "officialship" can earn $75,000-$85,000 a year.

It's rare for any field to possess a combination of career fulfillment as financial security such as is found in court reporting. So, for local legal professionals looking for the best in transcription services, the best solution is to find a Milwaukee court reporter who has already found his or her way into a great career,

Previously on this blog, we've discussed court reporting services in comparison to some alternatives that have emerged through the development of new technologies. However, in many cases, the advantages of these so-called "advancements" are often outweighed by their glaring faults, especially when looked at in the context of a court room.

In an article for the National Court Reporter's Association (NCRA) website, Kathy Zebert, a certified court reporter, examined the concept of creating a transcript by focusing on something electronic services might miss: one word.

Zebert argues that, when it comes to a trial or deposition, the entire trial can come down to one word. The examples she used was an examination of the differences between a witness saying "I did not see him enter the garage" and "I did see him enter the garage." In this instance, the word "not" is vital. However, if a chair happened to squeak or someone coughed near an electronic recording device, that word "not" easily could have been missed.

With this in mind, Zebert delved into whether it was really worth it for the courts to consider replacing realtime court reporters with a tape recorder when every single word is needed to produce an accurate transcript.

"If your life, liberty, home or family, were at stake, how much value would you place on the absence or presence of one word?" she asked in her post. "Would you entrust these precious things to a machine, or would you trust them to a live person who is specially trained to guard the record and value each and every word spoken?"

When dealing with local cases, Wisconsin court reporters are aware that each word spoken in a deposition or trial environment will be integral to the court transcript that is eventually produced. Additionally, their ability to read from the record during a hearing is an asset that any legal professional can appreciate.

The role of a Milwaukee court reporter in a trial can be easily seen whenever there are public legal proceedings underway, especially when the official record is called into question. However, court reporters' other main duties, such as depositions, are often overlooked by the general public.

In a recent blog article, Steve Roberts, a Denver-based accident lawyer, discussed the topic of depositions and the exact role they play in the legal system. He put heavy emphasis on the need for lawyers to have a hard copy of a sworn-in document reflecting what a witness is going to say heading into a trial. Should the witness attempt to change his or her story during the course of a trial or hearing, lawyers have something that can prove any inconsistencies, or impeach the witness.

"Depositions are one of the most important parts of any attorney's discovery plan and the transcripts taken by court reporters during these depositions make sure that the attorney's hard work preparing and taking the deposition is not for not and that the attorney can reap the benefits of his/her work," Roberts wrote on his blog.

Depositions are also vital in any case where an individual is unable to take the stand in a courtroom due to a medical issue or inability to get to the courtroom. In these instances, lawyers still have a sworn statement as to what the deponent said concerning the case. Furthermore, lawyers are now using video depositions in more and more cases, to give the courtroom an opportunity to see and hear every witness.

A Milwaukee court reporter is necessary for all depositions, so as to swear in the individual who is being questioned and to ensure that everything that is said will be admissible in front of a judge. All local legal officials should ensure that a Milwaukee Court reporter is present whenever a witness is deposed.