There are a number of qualities which make for the perfect court reporter. Professionalism and accuracy are among the most important of these qualities – and should be expected above all else when you hire a reporter to work on trial, deposition or other business matter. The following represent those things which you should NOT expect from your court reporter. Bear these qualities in mind the next time to hop online on pick up the phone to contact a court reporting service in your area.



What NOT to expect from a qualified court reporter

Don't expect them to be late

A good court reporter understands that at a deposition or trial-related proceeding, time is money! That's why the best court reporters are always onsite at the pre-agreed time without fail.

Don't expect them to be slow

Great court reporters are built for speed. No matter how fast the conversation is, you can count on them to keep up and provide a full transcript of everything that is said. Professional court reporters practice their craft at the highest speeds so that their ear and hand are trained to maintain a fast pace.

Don't expect them to make mistakes

The beauty of great court reporting is that it combines elements of speed and accuracy. Your court reporter is simply not going to make many mistakes in their pursuit of creating the perfect transcript. Depositions, hearings, business meetings or other important functions will all be captured without a flaw – befitting the document's place as an official record of the court.

Don't expect them to just work at a trial

One of the least-known facts about the court reporting industry is that reporters do not spend the majority of their time within the walls of a court house. Instead, their valuable skills are used to help provide official records of depositions, arbitration hearings and other key legal proceedings outside of the halls of justice. You are much more likely to find a court reporter in a law office than in front of a judge.

Don't expect to a great court reporter to be hard to find

In the past, when an attorney or a law firm found a court reporter that they liked working with, they stuck to them like glue because they were so hard to replace. Now, although the position is still in constant demand, court reporting services have made it easier than ever to find a qualified court reporter. The great thing about these services is that the candidates are generally pre-screened, meaning that attorneys do not need to worry about the level of expertise of the individual they are bringing on for the job.

Don't expect to NOT find a court reporter on short notice

The above mentioned court reporting duties are all available on even short notice. Court reporting services staff a number of reporters in all their targeted areas, which increases the likelihood that they will be available when needed most. (Note: some court reporting services attach a small premium on last minute requests.)