There are a lot of misconceptions about what it takes to become a court transcriptionist. Many people think they need to be bilingual or that it is an impossible job without special training. Neither of these things is true.
In this post, we will dispel the myths and answer all your questions about becoming a court transcriptionist. We will also look at when you need court transcription services.
Who Is A Court Transcriptionist?
A court transcriptionist is someone who transcribes what is said in a formal proceeding or meeting, like court hearings. These reporters help people to understand the legal system by putting their experiences into words.
They play an important role in society, and they can make decisions that affect people’s lives based on this information.
How Do I Become A Court Transcriptionist?
There are a few requirements to become a court transcriptionist. The most important ones are that you must be able to type, and your grammar should be good.
There is no special training required for this job. Self-training is possible. All you need to do is read previous legal proceedings’ transcripts. You will then transcribe them in your own time.
What Are The Benefits Of Working As A Court Transcriptionist?
One of the best parts about working as a court transcriptionist is that you play an important role in legal proceedings.
You also work from home and set your own hours. Therefore, this job is perfect for people who have families or other responsibilities they need to juggle while earning money.
You can also make a considerably good amount of money as a court transcriptionist. On average, most reporters make around $53,000 per year. That salary can go up to over $100k with the right experience and credentials.
When Should You Hire Court Transcription Services?
If you currently work in the legal field and need a transcript for your case, hiring court transcription services is important instead of doing it yourself. This is because lawyers know they will use their transcripts as evidence when they go to trial or file an appeal. It would not look good if the transcript you provided were riddled with typos and errors.
Court transcription services can also be hired if you are a court reporter. If your job doesn’t allow enough time to do the work, or if it’s too difficult for you right now, hiring someone else will help keep things running smoothly.
Just make sure that they meet all of your expectations and have an excellent reputation before you pay them for their services.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Working As A Court Transcriptionist?
Even though working as a court transcriptionist is an incredibly rewarding job, there are some downsides. Most people think that it’s easy to become a reporter because you just have to type what you hear, and you’re done. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
In reality, it’s challenging to be a good transcriptionist because you have to listen and type simultaneously. You need patience and endurance since your work will be interrupted by the court proceedings.
This job also doesn’t pay as well as many other jobs in the legal field, so if you are looking for a career change, this may not be the best option.
What Is The Difference Between A Court Transcriptionist And An Editor?
The fundamental difference between court transcriptionists and editors is that editing services help people produce transcripts.
Editors do not attend legal proceedings. They work with reporters after their transcriptions have been completed. Their job is to make sure that each sentence makes sense and flows well with the rest of the text.
Reporters often use a keyboard that is called a stenography machine to help them write faster and more accurately. They may also hire an editor if they are too busy with their other work. This means reporters or companies who need transcripts can contract editors out.
Tips For Excelling As A Transcriptionist
To excel as a transcriptionist, you will need to be patient and efficient. Since court proceedings can take hours, you must have the stamina to go through all of them with no breaks. You also need excellent grammar skills because mistakes or typos may be catastrophic in the legal world.
Transcriptionists need to be familiar with all different legal terminology. You don’t want your transcript to have any words that you aren’t 100% sure about because doing so can render a document unusable in court.
When it comes down to it, becoming a court transcriptionist is complex and requires extensive knowledge and training. But it is also considered as a rewarding career for many.
