What Exactly is a Court Reporter?

Posted: March 26th, 2025

The Magic Behind the Keys: What exactly is a Court Reporter? If you’ve ever been in a courtroom or a deposition, you’ve probably noticed someone sitting quietly with a strange looking little keyboard, typing away like their life depends on it. That’s the court reporter—the person responsible for capturing every single word spoken, no matter how fast or complex the conversation gets. But what exactly are they doing on that odd machine, and why is it so important? Let’s pull back the curtain on this fascinating profession and explore what makes court reporting such a vital and impressive part of the legal system.

A Keyboard Unlike Any Other: The Steno Machine

Phonetics: The Language of the Steno Machine

Unlike a regular keyboard where each key represents a letter, the steno machine operates on phonetics—how words sound rather than how they’re spelled. This means court reporters can capture entire syllables or even words with a single stroke. For example:

• The word “cat” might be written as “KAT.”
• The words “circumstantial evidence” might be written as “SKEFD.”

Each stroke represents a combination of sounds, pieced together using steno theory, a system of rules that allows for speed and consistency.

This Is How A Court Reporter Typewriter Works

Breaking Down the Steno Keyboard

The steno keyboard is divided into sections:

1. Left Side: Represents initial consonants.
2. Right Side: Represents final consonants.
3. Vowels: Located in the middle, allowing combinations to form words.

For instance, to write the word “cat”:

• The “K” sound is pressed on the left side.
• The “A” vowel is struck in the middle.
• The “T” sound is pressed on the right side.

All this happens simultaneously—yes, simultaneously! It’s like playing a piano, but instead of producing music, court reporters create a written record of spoken language.

The Theory: A Reporter’s GPS

Learning steno theory is like learning a new language. Court reporters train for years to master this system, memorizing thousands of briefs (shortcuts for common words or phrases). For example:

• “Objection” might be briefed as “OBGS“
• “Do you recall” could become a single stroke: “DOURL.”

These briefs allow reporters to keep up with rapid speech, ensuring nothing is lost.

Training for the Role

Becoming a court reporter is no small feat. It requires dedication, discipline, and years of rigorous training. Most court reporters attend specialized schools or programs that focus exclusively on the skills needed for this demanding profession. Here’s what the journey typically entails:

Time Commitment

Training to become a court reporter usually takes 2-5 years, depending on the program and the student’s pace. It’s a blend of classroom education, hands-on practice, and countless hours of drills.

Classes and Curriculum

The coursework is comprehensive, covering:

• Medical Terminology: Understanding complex medical jargon for cases involving injuries or healthcare disputes.
• Legal Terminology: Learning the language of the law to accurately capture proceedings.
• Grammar, Spelling, and Vocabulary: Ensuring the final transcript is polished and professional.
• The Legal System: Gaining a deep understanding of court procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Ethics and Professionalism: Preparing to handle sensitive information with discretion and integrity.

Practice and Memorization

Success as a court reporter hinges on practice. Students spend countless hours memorizing briefs and perfecting their speed and accuracy. Practice sessions often involve transcribing mock trials, depositions, and legal scenarios. To build speed, students progressively increase their typing rates, aiming to surpass the 225-word-per-minute benchmark.

Real-World Experience

Many programs include internships or externships, giving students the opportunity to shadow experienced court reporters and gain exposure to real-world settings. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building confidence and skill.

Speed and Precision: The Race Against Time

Most people speak at 150-200 words per minute. Attorneys in full swing? Easily 250 words per minute or more. To keep up, court reporters must type at speeds exceeding 225 words per minute with 98% accuracy—a standard set by certification exams.

The Brain Power of a Court Reporter

The court reporter’s brain is a marvel of multitasking and linguistic gymnastics. When people speak, their words go through an astonishing mental process in the reporter’s mind:

1. Input: The spoken words enter the court reporter’s ears. Their brain instantly recognizes and processes the sounds, distinguishing between accents, speeds, and even overlapping speakers.
2. Translation: The brain translates these sounds into steno theory, converting the language into phonetic strokes. This step requires deep knowledge of briefs, steno principles, and contextual understanding to ensure accuracy.
3. Output: Simultaneously, the brain sends signals to the hands to press the correct keys on the steno machine, producing a written record in a completely different “language.”
4. Editing in Real Time: While writing, the court reporter’s brain also predicts and adjusts for potential errors, ensuring homophones (like “there” and “their”) are correctly distinguished based on context.

This process happens at lightning speed, often compared to playing a high-speed game of chess while running a marathon. A doctor once described this as a court reporter’s ability to split their brain into multiple tasks: listening, processing, writing, and anticipating—all while maintaining focus amid courtroom distractions.

The Importance of the Record

Why go to such lengths to capture every word? The court reporter’s transcript is the official record of proceedings. It’s a vital document used in appeals, legal arguments, and historical archives. Without it, the judicial system would lack a reliable, unbiased account of what transpired.

The Unsung Heroes of Justice

Court reporters are more than typists; they are guardians of the spoken word. Their work ensures that every voice is heard and preserved, from the whispered objections to the emphatic closing arguments. They bring precision and professionalism to a role that’s as challenging as it is crucial.

So next time you see a court reporter, remember: beneath their calm exterior lies a whirlwind of mental gymnastics, linguistic expertise, and lightning-fast reflexes. They’re the unsung heroes of the legal world, transforming the chaos of the courtroom into a clear, concise record for generations to come.