5 Tips for Licensed Court Reporters
Court reporting has seen an increase in employment in just a span of a few years. The services of stenographers are in demand as there is an abundance of court cases all over the country. A Boca Raton court reporter or any other court reporter will have no problem with clients. Check out their website to see what a Boca Raton court reporter can do for you.
As a court reporter, it is your duty to record the proceedings accurately and without any bias. And when you are already a licensed court reporter, people are under the impression that you’re a professional. As a result, they trust you to perform your job at a high level with accuracy. Here are a few tips you can use to make sure you maintain that level.
Keep Your Emotions in Check
As a court reporter, you should be in control of your own emotions. In this line of work, you will face hundreds of different cases, some of which may be upsetting. You have to stay calm and collected no matter what happens during the proceeding. This is also one reason why court reporters are often referred to as highly-trained professionals.
Even in depositions when you think someone is lying, it’s best if you just try and keep a straight face. Even if there are things you don’t agree with, your job is to record and transcribe everything word for word. Furthermore, if you react to every detail, there’s a tendency to lose focus on your work.
Boca Raton court reporters are no stranger to professionalism no matter the job. Court reporters are trained to show no emotion whatsoever, and usually fall to a default facial expression. If you find this hard to do, then take some time out of your day to practice it. This will help avoid a tense body and any errors while you do your job.
Take Short Breaks
This tip applies to almost any job, but it is crucial if you want to make sure you are still getting accurate transcripts. At first glance, regular breaks may seem like it’s less productive compared to just working straight. But stepping away from the desk even for just a moment will help you ease your mind of the stress that comes with the job.
Additionally, taking breaks will keep your body healthy both mentally and physically. It’s no secret that staring at a computer screen for long periods of time can be draining. In this case, you’ll be seeing your stenography equipment for a long time. Plus, you’ll encounter hundreds of words per minute while transcribing them.
To maintain a high level of professionalism and to keep your mind at peak level, don’t hesitate to take short breaks. Boca Raton court reporters pride themselves on professional work and a job well done. You won’t be able to transcribe properly if your mind is bothered by even the smallest details.
Stay Neutral and Impartial
You might have heard this already when you were still in school. But court reporters must stay neutral and impartial at all times. No matter how your personal views may differ from what is happening in the proceedings, you must stay silent. When you focus on the task at hand, this enables you to work without any chance for errors.
As a court reporter, it is your duty to record everything that has happened without any alteration whatsoever. Remember that the document that you produce will still be used for future references so it’s vital that it’s accurate. Moreover, your neutrality will stop you from unknowingly typing in the wrong words.
Even if asked casually after the fact, court reporters should never offer any of their personal views regarding a case. Not only is it unethical, but there are legal repercussions for this as well. Let the lawyers handle their clients and guide them on what to say. As long as you are able to record everything word for word, you’re good to go.
Familiarize Yourself With Technology
Technology has come such a long way from what it was decades ago. And the technological advancements are being developed so fast. This is thanks to the innovative people and the need to make life easier. In court reporting, the tools used by a stenographer also received upgrades in recent years.
But does that mean that what you learned in school is basically obsolete? Absolutely not. These tools are just assistive devices to help you make your job easier. But the main purpose of your studies still hasn’t changed. Even if there is new equipment developed every day, what matters is the one who operates such devices.
However, as this falls under your profession, you must learn to adapt as well. Just like Boca Raton court reporters, you should know when there is something that you should adapt to. Whether it is new laws in your field all the way to new equipment, it’s your duty to learn it.
Be Professional
Lastly, a licensed Boca Raton court reporter or any other licensed court reporter should be professional. Your potential clients will appreciate your work if you have a professional attitude towards your work. If you stay true to your duties and responsibilities, then you are sure to become more credible. Clients will even recommend you to their friends and other associates.
Being professional about your work also means that you are punctual. When a client asks for a meeting, it is important to be there on or before the specified time. Your clients, lawyers, and other people who require your services might be pressed for time. You can help them out by showing up early and finishing the job together.
A court reporter must also be accurate with the records he/she transcribes. These documents are official court documents. That means that a lot of people are relying on this information, any mistake can be costly. Since you are already a licensed court reporter, many people will look up to you and depend on you for this information.