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A Court Recorder Career Profile

Whether you’re thinking of hiring a court recorder, becoming one or you simply want to know more about these necessary legal support aids, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has you covered with up-to-date information on career paths, education and salary details.

Court Recorder Career

According to the BLS, some court recorder jobs don’t require a bachelor’s degree, although a post-secondary, non-degree award is often required, and the median salary is nearly $50,000 a year, or $24 per hour.

This reflects the importance of this position as well as the high skill set. Short-term, on-the-job training also is often required, especially for those who are unfamiliar with the legal proceedings of a particular state, city or county.

However, the job outlook growth rate is at just 2 percent, which is slower than average. This is actually quite good, as it reflects the long-term career potential of quality court recorders. You don’t want this vital aspect of the legal system to have high turnover.

Job Variations

For BLS data purposes, a court recorder can also mean a video recorder. These professionals craft word-for-word transcriptions for depositions, trials and many other legal proceedings. They might also create subtitles for the deaf or hard of hearing at events, in classes and in business meetings.

Many court recorders pursue a technical award at community colleges and supplement their education with job training. They might work for local or state government offices, but some work from home or have a number of different positions at places like broadcast television studios (providing real-time transcriptions). Having a CART (Communication Access Real-Time Translation) certification offers the most job opportunities and diversity.

Focus on Courts

While some court recorders may prefer to diversify with various projects, many attorneys and others in the legal field prefer a court recorder who’s 100 percent committed to legal proceedings.

Mentally shifting from one industry to another can cause confusion and costly errors. If a court recorder isn’t available from a courthouse, the next best choice is one who only works with legal systems.

Oftentimes an attorney may need a court recorder outside of regular business hours (and outside of a courtroom). Interviewing expert witnesses, taking last-minute depositions and virtual testimony are a few examples.

It’s often impossible today to subpoena someone to appear in person (like when they’re on the other side of the world). However, with quality court recordings, statements and testimonies can be captured 24/7 from anywhere around the globe.

What Attracts Them?

There are many reasons a person may be drawn to this career, but a sense of justice and a knack for details are the most common. Court recorders are excellent observers, fast typists and they never miss deadlines. They’re experts at communication and are committed to comprehensive transparency.

When hiring a court recorder, consider their years of experience, training, and any recommendations or reviews they may have. Connect with the best in Utah today by calling DepoMaxMerit Litigation Services, your source for the best court recorders and videographers.

Legal Support Services Include Conference Rooms

When you think of legal support, you probably think of court recorders, deposition videographers and transcriptionists, but what about conference rooms?

Conference Room

A reliable, secure place to work is an obvious and necessary aspect of legal support. If you’re lucky, you have access to a private conference room with all the necessary components, such as state-of-the-art A/V equipment and video conferencing. However, many people aren’t that fortunate.

That’s where truly comprehensive legal support services come into play. You should have the option to rent a conference room any time for a fair price, or it should be included when you book other legal support services.

However, not all conference rooms are created equally. What you need is a conference room designed explicitly for legal services. Here’s why.

Privacy, Please

What goes on in legal conference rooms can be detrimental to a case if it’s leaked. Well-insulated walls are critical.

It’s also important to have the ability to book rooms on short notice, or to use them during off hours, like the middle of the night or on holidays. You never know when you will get a chance to interview that expert witness, or when you’ll need to record some last-minute testimony.

You also have to keep in mind the challenge of getting all your key experts and witnesses in one room (even if it’s virtually). For this, you’ll need the latest A/V equipment and technology. Maybe you require video or phone conferencing for multiple countries, or perhaps you need a certified court videographer who’s readily available and in the same building.

Choosing a legal-leaning conference room ensures you have exactly what you need at a fair price.

Location Is Key

You’ll also want a conference room that’s conveniently located. For example, if your business is based in downtown Salt Lake City, you don’t want to be driving out to Murray simply to use your rented conference room. Ample parking and nearby amenities such as restaurants, 24/7 convenience stores and fuel stations are also paramount, and the building should be easy to find (for all those out-of-towners who might be coming in for the meeting),

Conferences are becoming more virtual by the year, and you must keep pace with the electronics. Your conference room might be a space for you to plan your next argument, but you also could use it to tap resources around the globe. This is home base for you, and it also should serve as a professional space to meet with your contacts from around the country and overseas.

In SLC, depend on DepoMaxMerit Litigation Services for all your legal support needs, including top-of-the-line conference rooms outfitted with all the amenities you can imagine.

Court Videographer Must-Haves

Being a court videographer requires a special skill set, starting with certification. Many types of certifications are available, but one of the most well-regarded in the field is Certified Deposition Video Specialist, awarded by the American Guild of Videographers.

Court Videographer

States, counties and local offices may require differing licenses and/or certifications, so make sure you check with the court system you work with most often to see what they prefer or require.

The AGV trains future court videographers in problem solving, record protecting, procedure following and of course, basic videographer skills that can be used in any setting (not just the courtroom). The goal of certification is to train videographers to record not just the spoken word, but also nonverbal cues such as demeanor — this can make or break a case and sway decision makers.

Defining Communication

Jurors and other key decision-makers in the legal system rely on transparent and comprehensive evidence. Thankfully, video recordings give us much more information than the text transcripts of the past. Many times, Deposition Video Specialists are critical in capturing and offering testimony that jurors need to make a sound decision. Without court videographers, you only get a sliver of the information presented!

However, there’s much more to the profession than what they learn in their training. What helps are traits like honesty, professionalism and punctuality. You want a videographer who’s reliable, since you’re relying on him or her to provide full and timely video recordings.

Hiring a Court Videographer

Many times court videographers are needed outside the courtroom for jobs like recording depositions, filming an interview with an expert witness who’s on the other side of the world, or capturing testimony from a witness who can’t attend a hearing. Being a court videographer requires great flexibility, but they also need to have the ability to work with people of all demographics and backgrounds, and of course to keep cool in sometimes-stressful situations.

Court videographers are often drawn to the field for reasons beyond their passion for videography. They likely also have a passion for justice and an interest in the legal system. If you’re looking to hire a court videographer, make sure you go with a top-rated expert who’s part of a renowned organization.

Contact DepoMaxMerit Litigation today and connect with a world-class court videographer who has the tools, skills and experience you need.

What Makes a Great Court Recorder?

Court Recorder

Sometimes a legal team needs to hire its own court recorder — it’s not always a guarantee that every courtroom will provide one. Other times, you may need a court recorder outside of the courtroom, like when you’re gathering testimony, interviewing expert witnesses in advance or just want a conversation properly recorded.

However, how can you be sure you’ve secured a quality court recorder who’s efficient, adept and can deliver a transcript on schedule?

Few people have what it takes to be a great court recorder. Start by considering their credentials. What licenses do they have? How long have they been in the profession? Have they worked with a similar case before?

A certified recorder, including one who’s achieved every requirement and recommendation in your state, will have certain qualities that show he or she is at the top of their game.

When researching and interviewing court recorders, make sure he or she:

1. Has a Spotless Record

Humans make mistakes, and court recorders are no exception. However, their recording skills need to be error-free. Ask about their past experiences, get copies of recordings (that are public record) and find out about their training. Some companies that offer court recording services require background checks, which is an added security bonus for the client.

2. Lives Locally

In some instances, you may need to import a recorder from somewhere else — like when the proceedings are taking place in a rural area where no qualified recorders are nearby. Otherwise, choose someone who’s local. Local residents probably will be more familiar with the courthouses and judges, and the local and state laws, which streamlines the entire process.

3. Has Ability to Multitask

Very few people can actually multitask well (about 2 percent of the population, according to some studies!). Multitasking is a skill and talent, and this ability falls on a spectrum. However, it’s an absolute must for great court recorders. The ability to simultaneously listen and record without error is unique. It should be one of the top skills they tick off in an interview or on their resume.

4. Provides a Fast Turnaround

At some point, you may need a recording almost immediately, and a court recorder should be able to oblige (often with a reasonable added fee). Many times, these quick turnarounds can’t be predicted. The court recorder should be easy to reach, proficient and have the ability to produce transcripts quickly.

5. Has Great Communication Skills

Your court recorder should achieve perfection when communicating in writing, but don’t forget about in-person skills. Particularly if you’ll be working with this court recorder for an extended period of time, you need to mesh well together. Otherwise, it can get pretty awkward calling him or her up and trying to explain what you need.

6. Has Passion

The people who are best at their careers, no matter what they may be, are passionate about what they do. You’ll be able to tell this intuitively when you first connect with a potential court recorder. This career can lead to burnout, so make sure you choose recorders who are on their A-game.

Court recorders and videographers are part of a niche profession. Your best approach is to depend on an agency who vets court recorders for you, tackling the dirty work so you can simply handpick the best of the best.