5 Vital Tips for Court Reporters to Ensure Utmost Accuracy

By: Colleen Jilio-Ryan | Posted in: court reporter

A court reporter’s main job is to record court proceedings as accurately and objectively as possible. When lengthy proceedings lead to fatigue, it can result in errors. Here are some vital tips for court reporters to ensure utmost accuracy in their work.

1. 1. Get to the Meeting on Time
      There is no room for tardiness in court reporting, especially for a deposition. You always need a plan and a backup plan for getting to the deposition. Make sure you notify your agency right away any time you know that you will be late.

Related Post: What Does Punctuality Mean to Court Reporters?

1. Take Short Breaks
   Court reporting can become a mind-numbing job at times so you need to take occasional 5-minute breaks. Lunch should only be 15 minutes. Taking your mind off work once in a while for a few moments helps you focus more on the work.

2. Discuss Your Needs with Attorneys
   By letting attorneys know your needs prior to a hearing, you can create a better recording. Reminding people to speak clearly at a loud enough volume so that you can get the most accurate transcription can be very helpful as well.

3. Interrupt for Clarification
   It’s acceptable for you to interject during a proceeding to ask for clarity or how to spell a word. You may also have to ask for clarity when two people speak at once. Everyone in the process benefits when you do what it takes to present the most accurate transcription.

4. Stay Calm and Alert
   As the neutral party in the room, you don’t need to be affected, by any emotions involved with the case. Always maintain a fair attitude, since it is unprofessional to show emotion in a deposition. Do not be sidetracked by distractions. Stay alert by not eating or talking on your smartphone.

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