If you ask most people what the personal qualities of a certified court reporter are, you will get the standard answer of speed, attention to detail and the ability to focus for long periods. However there are other, less concrete qualities that successful court reporters share.
Physically Fit
Does it seem surprising that a certified court reporter needs to be in good health? After all court reporting is the ultimate desk job. The reporter sits at the steno machine all day and when the proceedings are over sits at a computer to prepare the transcript.
In fact, it's difficult to sit in one place for a long period of time. A court stenographer can't just step out to stretch, get a cup of coffee or even go to the bathroom. It's not like an office meeting where you probably won't miss much. And while deposition services, being less formal, might allow more chance for breaks even they take a significant toll on a reporter.
Add to that long hours preparing a transcript while the attorneys are home relaxing, the stress of creating an exact transcript, the necessity of never missing work, and more. It starts to become clear how physically demanding the job can be.
Unbiased
The definition of the certified court reporter is a professional and objective witness. The reporter's job is to create completely accurate documentation of the proceedings without judging or influencing opinion.
However reporters are also human beings and human beings have opinions, but they can't let that affect their work. They are not there to support the prosecution or the defense, but to facilitate the judicial process. Court reporters must not only keep an accurate record, but must also avoid any outward reaction to the testimony. Even the appearance of bias on the part of the reporter can disrupt proceedings.
Protects Confidentiality
The work of a certified court reporter must be protected from prying eyes. A breach of confidentiality is not only unprofessional and could cost a reporter future employment opportunities, but could cause a mistrial.
This means court stenographers can't talk about current cases even with spouses or friends, but it goes beyond that. All records must be protected from casual or deliberate intrusion. Physical records should be locked away and digital information should be password protected.
The task of confidentiality extends to co-workers such as other reporters or clerical help. Information about a case should not be discussed except on a need-to-know basis. Reporters should not work with people who can't maintain confidentiality. For example, if a reporter works with a scopist but realizes the scopist discusses cases with others, it's time to find a new scopist.
Among the significant demands of the work, it's easy to lose track of the other qualities of a successful certified court reporter. Reporters who don't have these now can develop them and will be better reporters for it.
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