Court reporters usually create verbatim transcripts of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events. Sometimes written accounts of spoken words are necessary for correspondence, records, or legal proof, and court reporters provide those accounts. They play a critical role not only in judicial proceedings, but also at every meeting where the spoken word must be preserved as a written transcript. They are responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate, and secure legal record.

A court reporter is an unbiased participant and has no prejudicial interest in the issues or outcome of the matter. They are the neutral observer whose account of the event becomes the official record before the law.

Court reporting made its entrance into the professional arena in the early 40s, beginning with a pen shorthand court reporter. The court reporter would “write” the record utilizing shorthand that would be later dictated for transcription into typewritten form. Utilizing this skill, a reporter by the name of Horace Webb, felt that “There must be a faster, more accurate way to do this work.” Hence, the method of voice writing was born. For a more detailed history on voice writing, click HISTORY.