They can affect your finances, your career, and even your life as a whole: Court cases and legal proceedings are some of the most impactful situations you can ever face. With the stakes so high, don’t leave your legal recordkeeping to a cell phone, a tape recorder, or a notepad: Call a licensed California court reporter.
In our state, certified shorthand reporters —commonly referred to as court reporters—are licensed by the Court Reporters Board of California (CRB). To be licensed, a court reporter must demonstrate competency. Using a licensed court reporter is a smart investment to help ensure you receive accurate, timely, and competent transcription service. Here’s why:
- Accuracy—You’ve only got one chance to accurately capture the legal record. A licensed court reporter provides a word-for-word record and is trained and empowered to ask participants to repeat words, to speak up when necessary, and to clarify technical terms.
- Qualification—Licensed court reporters must pass a three-part licensing exam and must complete hundreds of hours of training in English, legal and medical terminology, and transcription preparation, plus a minimum of 60 internship hours.
- Certification—Not all transcripts are created equal: Only certified transcripts created by a licensed court reporter are guaranteed to be accepted in court.
- Documentation—For appeals, the accuracy of transcripts taken during the original proceedings is critical and may impact the ability of your appeals to move forward.
- Regulation—If a problem or disagreement arises with a licensed court reporter, you can file a complaint with CRB to investigate on your behalf and to ensure the law is followed.
If you need the services of a court reporter, make sure they are licensed by CRB. Find out more about California licensed court reporters, their training and regulation, and their vital services at www.courtreportersboard.ca.gov; to check a court reporter’s license, visit https://search.dca.ca.gov.
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