Court reporters record all statements made in an official proceeding on their stenotype machines.
Because the court reporter's transcript is often the only record of testimony given in a trial, accuracy and speed are essential. Court reporters use stenotype machines that print shorthand symbols on paper and record them on computer disks. The disks are then loaded into a computer that translates and displays the symbols in English, a process known as computer-aided transcription. Highly skilled court reporters can work from home and an increasing number of them are choosing to set up their offices as subcontractors for law firms, hospitals, and transcription services. Of those who are salaried, one-third work for federal and state governments.