Court reporters can work in a variety of settings. While the occupational title implies that they sit in a courtroom all day, everyday, this is simply not the case. They are also called stenographers. There are different job settings available, depending on how the state and local courts handle the requirements of making a record of the courtroom proceedings. Some court reporters work in other venues, and others do work in courtrooms, but not all day, everyday. Here is a look at some of the different places stenographers can work.

Firms

Some court reporting firms handle legal depositions only, while others only carry contracts for specific courtrooms or jurisdictions. A third type of transcription services firm covers everything from depositions to court hearings and trials, conventions, computer aided real-time transcription (CART) and government contract work. Most of this is legal work, but not all of it. When working for a firm, employees either take turns attending jobs for clients that call in to the firm or they fulfill work for their clients only.

Government

Many state, federal and local agencies require the services of court reporters. These stenographers can work under a full-time contract and do administrative hearings for human resources, law enforcement and police departments, city council and zoning boards.

CART

The demand for services for the hearing impaired has grown steadily over the past decade. Captioning for television requires extreme speed and accuracy, but can be a rewarding experience. It allows the deaf community to be involved in mainstream society through television, conventions and other events. CART reporters can also work part time or full time for universities with hearing impaired students and professors.

Courtrooms

Many federal, state and local courts require the legal transcription services of a full-time official by contract. The court reporter is assigned to one courtroom or judge and takes down proceedings when it is in session. When it is not, the court reporter usually has an office with a computer and printer where transcripts are prepared. Not all courts have contracts with legal transcription services. Some do not supply a reporter for proceedings taking place in their courtrooms, and the lawyers must make their own arrangements for these services through professional, privately owned court reporting agencies.

Freelance

For those stenographers who wish to work for themselves, there are a variety of ways to find freelance employment. Some do medical transcription work or subcontract through online brokers. Others may find themselves frequently sitting in the back of a local courtroom with their machine at ready in case someone forgot to schedule one or there is an unexpected shortage of available stenographers. Others do side work or overflow for various agencies, such as court reporting firms, insurance companies or organizations for the hearing impaired.