If you want a job that pays well no matter the state of the economy, you might want to think about becoming a mortician. Still, if the prospect of embalming makes you queasy, you can choose from a wide range of other fields that are doing well despite the recession, such as food delivery, nursing, plumbing, and even court reporting. If embalming gives you the willies, maybe one of these other careers is more your speed. You can’t delegate the work of a court reporter to someone who isn’t a court reporter, which is why the field of court reporting is thriving while other highly specialised occupations are being axed by companies.
The Occupational Outlook Handbook projects a 25% increase in court reporting jobs over the next decade. This is on top of the 4% annual increase seen in the last two years. Besides the fact that court reporting is a highly specialised field, it is expected to grow because it helps law firms cut costs by reducing the number of employees responsible for handling legal paperwork.
Importance of Court reporters
While law firms are the most common employers of court reporters sacramento for the purpose of deposition reporting, many other types of businesses also rely on the services of court reporters. Depositions are part of the pre-trial proceedings that take place before a case is tried in court and during which witnesses answer questions from the attorneys. Witness testimony is recorded by a court reporter and used to help build a case for either side. In order to work as a court reporter, you must first complete basic training. You can get this education at many different types of schools, including business schools and universities. Most court reporters, after completing their initial education, go on to specialise in a subset of the field; for instance, “real-time” reporters, whose recordings are broadcast live over the internet and viewable in real time by the involved parties.
Court reporters are typically contracted through a deposition services agency by law firms. By working with an agency like this, the law firm will have access to reporters who are experts in a wide range of case types and technological platforms. Most deposition services verify a candidate’s credentials and evaluate their work history before hiring them, but the best agencies have a thorough screening process that considers more than just a candidate’s credentials when choosing a court reporter.
In my opinion, judging court reporters based on their individual qualities is a valid criterion. A reporter’s hostile demeanour, short temper, or bias against a certain class of witnesses can completely derail a deposition, and with it, an attorney’s chances of making a strong case. It’s common for witnesses to be nervous or withhold information in court.
Final words
As the legal industry diversifies into new areas of practise, there will be an increasing need for specialised court reporters. Like paralegals, court reporters are an integral part of the legal team. This backing often determines whether or not a case can even move forward, and often determines the outcome. If the prospect of making a significant difference in the outcomes of legal proceedings and working in an industry with low rates of unemployment appeal to you, court reporting may be the ideal profession for you to pursue.
