From February 7-14, Courts throughout the nation are celebrating National Court Reporting and Captioning Week to show their appreciation for the skill and dedication of court reporters and captioners.
Court reporters and voice writers are the gold standard when it comes to capturing the spoken word. They are responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate and secure legal record. To recognize their contributions, the Judicial Branch provides breakfast, baked goods and treats to court reporters throughout the week.
"Our court reporters capture the spoken word with accuracy, neutrality, and professionalism. The integrity of our justice system depends on an accurate record, and we thank our court reporters for the important work they do," Presiding Judge Pamela Gates said.
Judges, attorneys, litigants and other legal-related professions rely on court reporters. They are far more than just fast typists - court reporters are highly skilled officers of the court who ensure the integrity of the judicial process.
Court reporters are trained to type as fast as people speak using shorthand on a stenographic machine. Some court reporters can type as fast as 350 words per minute.
To become a licensed court reporter in the state of Arizona, students must pass the Registered Professional Reporter exam by typing 225 words per minute for Q&A testimony, 200 words per minute for jury charges and 180 words per minute for literary – while maintaining a 98.5% accuracy rate. They must also pass a written test administered by the Supreme Court of Arizona. Once a court reporter graduates, they must also complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education for state and national certification each year.
Court reporters must also stay current on all technological advances impacting the profession like real-time reporting. Judges and attorneys use real-time court reporter services during trials and oral arguments so they can quickly look at the testimony. About one-third of the Maricopa County Superior Court’s court reporters are certified in real-time reporting.
The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County employs 31 court reporters who support all the criminal judicial officers when a mandated hearing is happening. They also serve Civil, Probate, Family and Juvenile Department divisions upon request. This past year, the team of court reporters accounted for 315,000 transcribed legal pages.
The Judicial Branch also employees one voice writer. Voice writers are equivalent to court reporters but use a steno mask recording device where they use their voice to keep an accurate, verbatim recording of proceedings.
For more information on court reporters, please visit: https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/court-resources/court-roles/court-reporters/