Unlike a typical word processor, a court reporter uses a 22-key machine without the familiar QWERTY keyboard. Each of the keys on the court reporter’s stenotype responds not to words and letters, but to sounds. The stenographer’s keyboard is divided into a left and a right side: the left side for initial word sounds and the right for end sounds. Below those two sets of keys are the vowel sounds. Using his or her thumbs, a court reporter can create all of the various vowel sounds in American English (and other languages!) by pressing any combination of the four vowel keys at the bottom of the stenotype.

Capital Reporting Company reporters are specially trained at court reporting schools to transcribe medical terminology, law, anatomy and various unfamiliar words. Rather than questioning how to spell “basal ganglia,” in a medical malpractice case, a court reporter can simply type in an initial “B” sound, either through a key or a combination of keys. Using a few short strokes, the court reporter can then get the middle sounds and the ending “l” consonant for an approximation of the word “basal.” A similar process will be repeated for “ganglia.” Through this method, the court reporter can type several sounds at once, producing phonetic spellings in just a few keystrokes.

The Chicago court reporter will then translate this shorthand, using his/her own personal glossary of abbreviations. Of course, different abbreviations will symbolize different words in each court reporter’s mind, but anyone experienced in court reporting knows how to listen to the sounds of words rather than the meaning. Listening to the word “apple,” a court reporter need only hear those “a-p-l,” phonemes. It doesn’t matter if the attorney is talking about computers or fruit.

Our court reporting services at Capital Reporting Company’s Chicago office employ modern technologies and highly skilled court reporters to ensure accurate courtroom transcript. A court reporter can transcribe your words with a minimum accuracy of 95%. Our Court Reporters’ accuracy and speed are just a few of the reasons we have consistently been named one of the US’s top reporting companies in 2012, 2013 and 2014. To schedule a Chicago court reporter or learn more about our court reporting services, contact us at 312-241-1913.

What makes a court reporting agency successful in Washington DC? Like any good business, a court reporting agency is only as good as its reporters. Quality court reporters are the guardians of the record, and they play a crucial role in the legal system. The integrity and the value of legal proceedings depend on accurate records and the reporters who make them.

A court reporter transcribes speech to produce transcripts of court hearings, depositions and other official proceedings. Court reporters are essential, and their ability to be fast and accurate is crucial. Making sure that an appeal is viable always depends on the court reporter’s transcript. Mistakes in a transcript can be disastrous for the litigators involved. In Washington DC there is certainly no shortage of court reporting agencies; there will always be a demand for an accurate and timely record of legal proceedings. How does one stand out from the crowd?

A Variety Of Court Reporting Services Is The Key To Success

In addition to supplying good court reporters, a modern & successful court reporting agency should provide certain services to be competitive. In the age of information, trends and services change rapidly and a court reporting agency must be able to adapt. A successful agency will offer a wide array of services, utilizing modern technologies to stay competitive and to save the client time and money.

One example is deposition videography. Many lawyers will want a high quality video of their deposition. It is important to provide videography services including lighting and sound equipment. The ability to shoot in a digital format is also beneficial. A polished video should be provided and can be synchronized with the reporter’s transcript.

Another example is live streaming of video, audio and real-time transcripts. This allows an agency team to work remotely while providing an invaluable service. A clean and professional user-friendly website should allow clients to manage all of the aforementioned services online. A successful agency would provide transcripts in a digital form and help clients with uploading. The easier and more streamlined the service operates, the more likely for clients to return and to spread positive reviews about the agency.

A successful court reporter agency in Washington DC will offer a wide variety of services as well as stay current with regards to the newest technologies. However, the success or failure of any agency ultimately rests on the court reporters and the services that they provide.