Although the role of court reporting in every courtroom proceedings, appeals, and depositions have not changed through the years, how it is being done has greatly evolved. During ancient times court reporting firms only use Gregg shorthand and paper notebooks. Today, court reporting has become more digitally inclined. Let us take a quick look at how court reporting has evolved over the years and understand why court reporting will never be the same.
Court reporting plays a large part in every courtroom proceedings, appeals, and depositions. However, national court reporters do not only work within the walls of courtrooms and deposition halls. They also work in official meetings and special events where accurate legal proceedings and record-keeping are essential.
Court reporting entails capturing and recording all words verbalized by the speakers during these events with the use of a stenotype machine and sometimes a steno mask. Though their work seems to be just a simple and straightforward typing task at first look, court reporting means more than that. It involves using special tools and requires the court reporter to have extraordinary attention to detail, a great deal of hard work, amazingly quick typing speed, accuracy, and excellent listening and concentration skill.
The evolution of court reporting
Court reporting has long been a part of the legal proceedings for centuries already. This profession was already around during the time of Julius Caesar. During this era, ancient Rome beheaded court reporters who were found guilty of committing mistakes and neglect of duty. Court reporting has greatly evolved since then. Though the primary duties, responsibilities, and role of court reporters in every courtroom proceedings, appeals, and depositions have not changed through the years, how court reporting is being done has greatly evolved.
Gregg shorthand method
During the early times, the Atlanta court reporters only use paper notebooks in writing reports. In order to catch up with the pace of the speaker, court reporters need to be proficient in using the speed writing methods or Gregg shorthand, a phonography or phonetic writing system that is used to write quickly based on the sounds of the words instead of their spelling. The use of Gregg shorthand and paper notebooks has lasted until the 1960s, although, this process is still being observed today and is also being taught at some court reporting schools.
The earliest stenograph machines
Early models of stenograph machines were first developed in the 1920s. Although these machines are already around, they were not yet popularly used during this time. The primary reason, though, is that early stenograph machines tend to punch holes in paper.
The innovation of ink to paper tray machines
After the earliest stenograph machines came the ink to paper trays. Unlike the previous, the introduction of the latter was more successful. After its efficiency was made known, the ink to paper tray was then used in many courtrooms around the world. The use of this court reporting tool lasted from the 1930s to the 1980s.
The use of stenograph machines
All notes and spoken words were captured on a stenograph machine with the use of speed writing techniques. After such, the paper notes will be handed over to the transcriber who will transcribe records into readable English. The transcribed record need to be typed non-erasable onion skin papers. The transcriber needs to produce four exact copies of the transcribed record which will then be distributed to the court and the involved parties. To do such, they need to use three carbon papers between the four sheets of onion skin papers.
Typing and producing copies of records during this time was quite challenging, tedious, and time-consuming, especially if there are typing errors that need to be corrected. Fortunately, erasable paper and copy machines were invented soon after. This makes typing and copying records faster and easier.
The start of the computer era
The computer era has greatly changed how things work and this includes court reporting. The use of computers is being integrated into the way court reporting was done. Stenographs machines also evolved. The latest stenograph machines during this era were made with hard drives. Instead of paper notes, the records were automatically written onto a magnetic media file. The magnetic media file (either hard disk or a floppy drive) was then inserted to a computer where the record can be translated.
Later on, the USB or Universal Serial Bus was being added to stenography machines. Instead of using either hard disk or floppy drive, this type of stenography machine, which is still being used up to these modern days, uses a data storage device called the USB flash drive. Computers also became more sophisticated and advanced. With the use of a computer, the certified court reporter can easily and quickly translate the record into readable English. They can do this directly on the screen while writing. The translated record can also be viewed instantaneously and can also be connected to a direct feed that can be viewed via the internet. This is now called “real-time” court reporting.
Court reporting will never be the same
Looking at how court reporting has evolved through the years, you can always conclude that it will never be the same. How court reporting is done and the tools being used will continue to evolve for years to come. Unfortunately, the uninterrupted advancement in technology has brought fear to many court reporting firms.
The idea of digital recording is now being integrated into many courts in Atlanta and other parts of the world. Instead of hiring a court reporter, some courts use digital video or audio recording devices to capture records of the proceedings. As more and more courts now turn into digital recording, court reporters fear that they may be replaced by technology and may lose their job on the process.