Digital Court Reporter vs. Stenographer: What Are the Differences?

Court reporters play an important role in the legal industry by documenting proceedings and providing transcripts. There are two common types of court reporters: digital court reporters and stenographers. Both positions have their own set of responsibilities, skills and qualifications. In this article, we compare digital court reporters and stenographers, and we provide information on how to become a court reporter.

What is a Digital Court Reporter?

Digital Court Reporters use specialized audio recording equipment to create verbatim transcriptions of legal proceedings, business meetings and other events. They setup and test their equipment before an event to ensure it’s working properly. During the event, they keep the recorder close to the speakers to capture every word that’s said. Afterward, they transcribe the recording and prepare a written report. In some cases, they may also create a video record of the proceedings. Court Reporters must have excellent hearing, transcription and grammar skills. They must also be able to type quickly and accurately.

What is a Stenographer?

Stenographers are Court Reporters who specialize in taking verbatim records of speeches, meetings and other proceedings using shorthand methods of writing. Stenographers work in a wide variety of settings, including courtrooms, legislative assemblies, conferences, business meetings and other events. They use a stenotype machine, which is a specialized keyboard, to transcribe speech. Stenographers must be able to type quickly and accurately to keep up with the speaker. They also must be able to read back their transcriptions to ensure they are accurate. In some cases, Stenographers may use audio or video recordings to create transcripts.

Digital Court Reporter vs. Stenographer

Here are the main differences between a digital court reporter and a stenographer.

Job Duties

The duties of a digital court reporter and a stenographer can differ, as the use of technology in the profession has expanded. Digital court reporters may perform some of the same tasks as stenographers, such as taking verbatim transcripts or providing real-time translation for individuals who are hearing impaired. However, they also have additional job responsibilities that involve using technology to create accurate transcripts.

For example, stenographers often work in private settings with clients to record conversations accurately. Digital court reporters may transcribe these recordings while also ensuring that the transcript is legible and free of errors. They may also be responsible for creating video transcripts or other multimedia records.

Job Requirements

Digital court reporters and stenographers typically need to have a high school diploma or equivalent. They also need to complete a certificate or associate degree program in court reporting or stenography, which can take about two years. Some states require court reporters and stenographers to be licensed. After completing their education and training, digital court reporters and stenographers must pass a skills test administered by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA).

Work Environment

Digital court reporters work in a variety of environments, depending on the location and needs of their employer. Some digital court reporters work from home or other remote locations to provide services for clients across the country. Others work in traditional courtrooms with judges, attorneys and juries.

Stenographers typically work in traditional courtrooms as part of an established stenography firm. They may travel between different courts throughout the day to meet the needs of their employers.

Skills

Both digital court reporters and stenographers use their excellent listening skills to capture spoken words. They also need to have great attention to detail so that they can accurately transcribe what was said. In addition, both of these professionals need to be able to type quickly and efficiently.

However, there are some key differences in the specific skills used by each profession. For example, digital court reporters need to be proficient in using court reporting software. This software is used to create transcripts of proceedings. Stenographers, on the other hand, use a machine called a stenotype to record proceedings. In order to use this machine, stenographers need to be able to touch-type. This means that they need to be able to type without looking at the keys.

Salary

The average salary for a digital court reporter is $44,290 per year, while the average salary for a stenographer is $62,588 per year. Both of these salaries can vary depending on the location of the job, the level of experience and the type of employer.