Understanding Real time Reporting

by | Nov 20, 2012 | Law

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Real time reporting is a reporter’s method of using shorthand in English using a computer that creates the full words on the monitor.  It works well for court reporting and the taking of depositions.  The reporter will use the shorthand on a computer and as the reporter writes, the English will appear on the screen.  Sometimes, this method is used in translating, though what appears on the screen is merely a rough draft.  The translation can then appear within a few seconds of the words being spoken.  The attorneys present can also be connected to the computer so they can see the translation on their own computers immediately.

Sometimes, courts also add a printer to the feed and as the reporter writes, the data is sent to a scopist who then edits the information and sends it to a printer.  At the end of the deposition or court appearance, everyone can have a final copy of the transcript of what transpired.  A third option is to provide the attorneys with a disk at the end of the deposition with a rough draft of the final transcript on it for their perusal.

Having real time options makes court reporters nearly irreplaceable.  They get rid of tape recorders and the time lag between the court sessions and the creation of the transcripts.  No tape recorder can instantly transcribe what is occurring.  And even voice recognition can only be programmed to one voice and may not hear every mumble within the room.

Technology is advances enough that you can now store 300,000 words on one CD so there is plenty of room for exhibits, testimony, and anything else you would need from a trial on one indestructible form.  You can retrieve the information in just a few seconds and you can even synchronize videotapes of the trials with the notes that have been taken in real time reporting.  No tape recording system can do any of those things.

Real time reporting gives courtrooms a whole new flavor when the translating is done as close to perfect as possible.  IT takes some getting used to to be involved in a case that has real time reporting because watching the translations can be distracting, but attorneys and everyone else quickly get used to the idea.

For those actually doing the real time reporting, the pace of the events might be of concern, but most real time reporters with experience find that depositions and other events happen much more slowly than their highest pace.  There is ample time to enter what they need to enter and there are plenty of pauses and breaks that they can use to catch up as well.  Editing is faster and the real time reporting professionals stand to make quite a bit of money as well.

Real Time Reporting – Acuscribe.com is a website that features court reporters on a nationwide basis that can help with depositions, transcripts and many other litigation support areas with accuracy.

 

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