What is the Future of the Court Reporter Profession?

In the old days, when video was still recorded on tape instead of modern solid-state devices, videotaping court proceedings seemed impractical. The amount of videotape needed to record only one court case was relatively large. Storing video was time consuming and costly, and videotape was difficult to reproduce and quick to deteriorate. It is no wonder that, though videotape was widely available in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, court proceedings were not routinely taped. But, what about now? What is the likelihood that courts in America will move to videotaped proceedings, and what will that mean for the profession of court reporting?

Search Digital Court Reporter Programs

Get information on Digital Court Reporter programs by entering your zip code and request enrollment information.

Sponsored Listings

In order to analyze the future of court reporting in light of modern advances in audio and video recording, it is important to remember that there is no single governing body that oversees the court reporting profession. Generally speaking, courts across the country decide how to record their proceedings on either a state or local level. This means that, while a court in one county of a state may decide to move toward digital recording of court activities, other counties in the same state may not. So much will come down to the judges or legislators that make such decisions.

Though court proceedings can be accurately recorded by digital equipment, many jurisdictions are affirming their desire to continue to use court reporters in a traditional capacity. For example, in March 2014 the Thurston County Superior Court in Washington signaled that it would continue to use stenographers to record its court proceedings. Courts in Robeson County, North Carolina made a similar declaration.

Despite the fact that courts around the country are standing behind the court reporter profession, it is important to remember that technology is changing the world, and those who fail to adapt often get left behind. Those entering into the court reporting profession are recommended to learn digital reporting skills in order to supplement their stenographic skills.

Wiley University Services maintains this website. We are an advertising-supported publisher and are compensated in exchange for placement of sponsored education offerings or by you clicking on certain links posted on our site. This compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear within listing categories. We aim to keep this site current and to correct errors brought to our attention. Education does not guarantee outcomes including but not limited to employment or future earnings potential. View Advertiser Disclosure
Wiley University Services


©2024 https://www.courtreporteredu.org All Rights Reserved.