Court Reporting at a glance

From ancient records of Roman orators in the 4th Century B.C. to the introduction of the stenotype machine in 1913, court reporting continues to evolve.

With a stenotype machine, reporters capture the sound of words in a phonetic code by pressing one or more keys at a time. Each line of characters usually represents one sound or syllable. The notes are usually printed on a thin paper tape and are frequently captured on a computer as well.

Today’s court reporter uses the latest technology to supply attorneys, courts, and business professionals with precise transcripts of hearings, trials, and other events that may require an accurate record for future reference. Computer-aided transcription (frequently referred to as CAT) and Internet reporting are the newest forms of court reporting to enter the scene. Another service of court reporters include live captioning for the hearing impaired.

Reporters' Corner