America is fascinated by the court system and the institution of law. There's Court TV, locally televised court proceedings, and countless courtroom dramas that play regularly on prime time. It seems that people simply cannot get enough of this fascinating field of law and real-life drama. Those particularly interested in the law and courtroom proceedings should consider a court reporter career.

Perhaps one of the less publicized positions in the courtroom, the job of the court reporter, is no less interesting. It's a fast paced career that changes daily and requires incredible attention to detail and knowledge of the law and its workings in order to keep up with a busy court hearing. At its simplest, a court reporter takes the spoken word and transmits it into a written or digital transcription for closed captioning. In addition, he or she must type extremely fast, upwards of 200 words per minute, in order to keep up during a trial or meeting.

However, a court reporter career is often much more complex and interesting than merely transmitting words. Often times, a court reporter, also called a court recorder or stenographer, will work for the judicial system. The transcripts these professionals create are extremely valuable during a hearing or deposition, as they are often referred to by litigants upon appeal and by attorneys when building their cases before trial.

This is not an easy job because of the nature of the material and the fact that the transcript is legally binding. It's absolutely vital that the transcripts be an exact replica of everything that each person said during the proceedings or in a legal meeting. This high degree of detail and difficulty makes this a very lucrative career track.

Court reporting professionals require formal training through court reporter programs or schools. These programs offer different tracks, such as electric reporting, voice writing, and stenography. Those that choose to follow the stenography track will learn to use stenotype machines, which translates symbols to text and is most often utilized in closed captioning. The electric reporting and voice writing tracks involve learning to use audio equipment and a special recording device respectively for use in court testimony.

Depending on the rigor of the coursework, formal programs usually last one to two years. In addition to courses in the selected tracks, students will take classes in legal terminology and process, recording technology, and speed typing classes. After graduation, students can often obtain a certification through their state to further their education and make them more attractive to hiring by potential employers.

In addition to working to help the attorneys, judges, and others who work within the judicial system, individuals that follow the court reporter career path will also be aiding the deaf and those that are hard of hearing by providing real-time transcripts of judicial proceedings. It's not only a practical job track, but one that fulfills a real need in the community and within the courtroom. For more information about how to become a court recorder, search online for degree programs in your area and online.