Reporting In Oklahoma Courtrooms – The Skills Necessary

Courtroom reporting is very different from what we see on our television sets. In most places, cameras are not allowed. Digital or voice recording may be permitted in some places, while in other places a stenographer is hired for this purpose. This professional needs to be accustomed to typing 225 words per minute in order to qualify for this position. The court reporter services provided by many agencies are extremely competitive and accurate.

There is more to a court reporter’s responsibilities than just producing transcripts. The work of a lawyer and his efficiency also depends on how accurately these professionals do their job. Some of the important facts that court reporters need to keep in mind can be summarized as follows:

• The first would be professionalism. Knowing that this job requires a very high level of concentration and content delivery, the professional should very well possess the gift of focus. They should exude professionalism in their manner and work, and it should also reflect in the transcripts they produce. It is necessary for the reporters to stick to their job in a completely neutral state of mind. Personality traits that favour inclination towards a certain party tend to hinder the job. It is for this reason that attorneys sometimes conduct a personality-screening exercise to make sure that an individual with a balanced mind is handed the responsibility of recording the proceedings.
• The skill of a court reporter takes the most important role. Being able to type with blazing speeds and an accuracy level of 98% earns them the right to be called skilled. It is necessary to have these two skills as efficiency of the transcript so produced depends on how well the reporter is able to handle the typing job. It is of utmost importance to produce the minutes of the courtroom with as much efficiency as possible.
• Flexibility is also a desired trait in courtroom reporters. They need to be able to do the job exactly as the authorities demand from them, so that it is easier for everyone to get information as and when needed.

Applications for court reporting jobs and requirements from this professional differ from state to state. Considering a court reporter in Oklahoma, the facts in the following paragraphs need to be kept in mind.

Educational qualification required for court reporting includes undergoing special training at court reporting schools, because the skill set required for this particular job is not taught at any institution separately. The course includes use of the stenograph, learning shorthand, increasing typing speeds, and many other factors. The next step is to take the test for certified shorthand reporter, which is a test that consists of two sections that gauge speed of typing and other aspects. This test is administered by the Oklahoma State Board of Examiners of Certified Shorthand Reporters. After you’ve acquired this certification, you need to decide if you want to do this in the freelance mode or you want to get engaged with an agency that provides these services. The final thing to keep in mind is Oklahoma’s mandates of continuing education in this field in order to retain the licence.

For more information on becoming a court reporter in Oklahoma, visit Loweryreporters.com

About The Author

John Thomas is an expert in the field of courtroom reporting and frequently writes many articles and blogs, helping people in picking up the skills necessary to get into this profession. He recommends LoweryReporters.com as the name to trust for any information relating to becoming a court reporter in Oklahoma.