Regardless of whether it is for a courtroom proceeding, for different legal and political activities, or even for captioning services, you definitely need someone to take down very important details. From the words that are spoken loud and clear to the slightest and finest mumble of syllables, it is always better to catch everything as precisely as possible especially when it comes to legal matters. But it’s not always about how we need these important details to be taken down. It is also about how well, fast and accurate it can be done and how it needs to be kept for a later important purpose. If you are thinking of a transcriptionist, that’s great! But allow us to suggest a better one — a certified court reporter!

A court reporter or a court stenographer, from the name itself, is the perfect person you need to get for legal purposes. They basically record the exact words that are being said in trials or in meetings, with the help of a stenograph machine. They also use other tools that help them transcribe what they hear during court proceedings. Other famous court reporters can also do captioning services for the deaf and for those who have hearing problems, and they also offer the same services for broadcast companies.

In this article, you will learn more about what benefits you can enjoy if you hire a court reporter or a court reporting service.

1. They do the job you need

A court reporter, unlike most transcriptionists, is mainly assigned to take down every word being said during depositions, court trials, government meetings, or other similar events that require sufficient knowledge of legal, and even medical terminologies. Court reporters are also good at keeping records of transcripts and they can use different tools to help them do their jobs well.

Though transcriptionists can cover legal proceedings, they can as well be considered as a general service provider as they offer transcription services in different fields and not just in the legal industry. If you want someone who is more proficient and knowledgeable about legal matters, a court reporter is your best bet. Court reporters for legal matters are specifically trained and they themselves are confident of what they are doing. Needless to say, hiring a court reporter is a win-win situation for both of you.

2. They do what they are expected to do

In a digital age like today, there are a lot of attempts to use and integrate technology when keeping records of any legal proceedings and attempt to replace the court reporters in Georgia with devices that can turn audio recordings to text. But still, nothing beats the accuracy of a court stenographer.

Being trained mainly for this purpose allows them to take down and record information effectively and allows a smooth flow during trials. These technological devices might require some time to publish texts from the recorded audio clip, while a court reporter can send you drafts of the transcripts immediately after the proceedings. Now, that’s what you call doing the ‘real’ thing.

3. They are trained to do the real thing

Speaking of the ‘real’ thing, court reporters undergo intense training before being called one. Being a court reporter requires you to finish a two-year associate’s degree and acquire a Certificate in Court Reporting. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of these court reporting students actually get to become a certified court reporter. It is believed that this is because of the challenging minimum rate of 225 words per minute transcription rate which was set by the National Court Reporter’s Association (NCRA) in the United States. (Some can even reach around 300 words per minute!)

Alongside the training for transcribing multiple conversations into a record, they also have to learn the complex law and even medical terms. They are also taught and trained about how they can still effectively put everything said by the speaker inside the courtroom into record despite all the nuances and noise around.

Court reporters are also aware of the complex judicial and court protocols as well as the political and justice systems. Unlike an automated record machine, court reporters can interrupt and ask the court to let people talk one person at a time when they need to. That makes them far better than an audio recording device.

4. They save you money in the long run and make your life easier

Yes, court reporters are a bit pricey, that is why people find it easier to drop the idea of hiring one. But do you know that they actually save you time and money in the long run?

There are times when transcripts of past testimonies are needed in certain court proceedings. And not having a professional court reporter to record these testimonies could cost you more than money itself. Not only will it be more difficult for you to prove your case, but also the proceeding may take longer than expected, and worst, you may not be able to go outside the courtroom smiling and relieved (as you just lost to your opponent).

For captioning services, misleading transcriptions may bring down company images for broadcast companies. It can also have poor transcription services for those who are deaf and have hearing problems.

Having court reporters save you from inaccuracies and poor transcriptions. You can hire a freelance court reporter or opt for those court reporters who are working with law firms. So if ever given a chance to hire one, grab the chance! You’ll surely be thankful soon.