Court Reporting: Stenographic, Electronic, Voice Writing
How does court reporter work? Actually court reporting can be performed in various different ways.
Firstly, Stenographic method is the most common method applied. Stenotypists generate documents containing statements of the official proceedings using a stenotype machine. During real time court reporting, steno typists use a stenotype machine connected to a computer for real time captioning. This is required generally for television programs.
Secondly, Electronic reporting is another type of court reporting. In this method, audio equipment like analog tape recorders or some other digital device are used to record the various court proceedings. This whole procedure is intimately supervised by the court reporter; he identifies the speakers, cross checks with the recordings and makes sure the recordings show high quality and clarity. The electronic reporters then have to submit the written transcript made out of the recordings.
Thirdly, Voice writing is another type of court reporting. In this method, the court reporter speaks out into a voice silencer which is a mask with a microphone attached to it. As the court proceedings are carried out, the reporter repeats the words into the recorder and the mask does not allow him to be heard in the proceedings. The voice writers are expected to record all conversations of the judges, attorneys, witnesses and others involved in the court proceedings and also need to record their gestures, reactions. They need to prepare the transcripts thereafter.
