Court reporter describes day-to-day as being ‘just like a pianist’
Sometimes, it's hard for Wisconsin court reporters to describe to clients how they can take everything that's said in a courtroom and transcribe it on paper efficiently and accurately. While those in the Wisconsin court system have counted on such reliable services for so long, the nuances of the profession sometimes escape the notice of the larger population. However, in a recent feature in The Record, the owner of a California-based deposition company tried her best to make a comparison.
With her court reporting company in Lodi, California, 47-year-old Dina Marcus has little trouble putting what other people have to say down on paper. But in describing what a court reporter does, she says it's difficult to provide people outside of the industry with a proper explanation. The best comparison she can make is to say it is similar to mastering a piano.
"I emphasize technology and innovation, experienced and veteran reporters," Marcus said to the news source. "There is constantly improving software. What we do is just like a pianist – using both hands, we squish phrases."
However, Marcus also makes certain that her reporting skills don't fall to the wayside. In talking with The Record, Marcus revealed that she still works cases herself, and hasn't lost her fastball just yet. As of now, Marcus can produce up to 250 words-per-minute and has gotten that number up to 300 at times. The required rate to become a certified court reporter in the state of California is 200 words-per-minute.
Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, there's no replacing a Wisconsin court reporter. When it comes to getting proper transcription for a deposition or trial, there's no substitute for the services of a professional who can capture the nuances of a courtroom and provide a quality transcript of any legal procedure.
