| Many law firms in the Empire State use New York | | | | just as talented with a camera as they are with a |
| court reporters extensively to transcribe court | | | | pen. When a client needs a video record of a |
| proceedings and depositions. But surprisingly, many of | | | | deposition or trial, a certain percentage of court |
| the attorneys at these firms are unaware that this | | | | reporters can film, edit and perform post-production |
| only scratches the surface of what a court reporter | | | | on the proceedings. |
| can do. Here is a look at ten facts about court | | | | 6. Keyword indexing - Court reporters can organize |
| reporters in New York. | | | | complicated transcripts and other documents so that |
| Some of these facts obviously represent the | | | | the most relevant information is easy to access. For |
| hallmarks of the trade, while others are "hidden | | | | example, if a deposition is taken and a key witness is |
| talents" of these highly reliable, detail oriented | | | | mentioned several times throughout the document, |
| professionals. | | | | the court reporter can highlight these mentions and |
| 1. Court reporting - The most well-known service | | | | sort the document accordingly. |
| offered by court reporters. Using shorthand or | | | | 7. Document formatting - Court reporters can take |
| transcription machines, court reporters will judiciously | | | | the documents they create and format them for a |
| take down every word that is spoken by witnessed, | | | | wide variety of uses. Perhaps the document needs |
| attorneys and the judge in order to produce a | | | | to be turned into a PDF for universal acceptance. Or |
| complete, official record of the court proceedings. | | | | maybe the information must be broken out into an |
| 2. Deposition reporting - Court reporters are often | | | | excel spread sheet for better organization. However |
| called in to record everything that is spoken at a | | | | the client wants their information, the court reporter |
| deposition. Depositions are used when a witness is | | | | can deliver it. |
| unable to appear during the trial, or if the witness' | | | | 8. Closed captioning for the hearing impaired - Many |
| statements will need to be corroborated during court | | | | court reporters can work as closed captioners for |
| proceedings. Either way, the exacting standards of | | | | the hearing impaired. These individuals put their fast, |
| the court reporter is essential to the execution of | | | | accurate typing skills to use by transcribing the words |
| this process. | | | | that are being spoken into the written word for |
| 3. Reporting at public hearings - Many public hearings | | | | those with hearing problems. |
| can get a little chaotic. People are talking over one | | | | 9. Translation - Bi-lingual court reporters can serve a |
| another in an effort to be heard. A court reporter in | | | | dual function in the courtroom or attorney's office. |
| New York possesses the focus to filter out the | | | | These special individuals can translate court |
| excess noise and create a flawless transcript of | | | | proceedings or depositions into different languages |
| every word that was spoken at the event. | | | | after the initial transcription has taken place. |
| 4. Transcription services - Court reporters can also | | | | 10. Court reporting is here to stay - No matter how |
| turn audio transcripts into written documents with | | | | many advances there are in technology, there will |
| ease. These trained professionals are excellent | | | | always be a need to turn the spoken word into the |
| typists and always check their work thoroughly for | | | | written word. And while many software programs |
| accuracy. This comes in handy when the client needs | | | | are able to turn voice into text, none will ever be |
| a long audio broadcast turned into a 100+ page | | | | able to do it with the speed and accuracy of a |
| document. | | | | human court reporter. |
| 5. Videographer services. Some court reporters are | | | | |