Court reporters provide an important service to those who hire them. If you are already employed or working as a certified court reporter, then you already know that reporters are employed by a number of agencies. These are most commonly divisions of government agencies and vary among the state, federal, and local government. Court reporters can also be employed under contract. Regardless, there is plenty of work to be done for a good court reporter, as reporters who work in the field well know. No matter what field you work in or what type of agency you do work for, a good certified court reporter manicures and primes certain traits of character in order to do their job well.
So, what types of traits should a good court reporter look to emulate and possess? Check out this list of traits to find out.
Important Traits A Court Reporter Should Develop
Performing to the best of your ability is part of what it takes to be a successful professional. To this end, court reporters require certain cultivated traits that are useful in other fields but are essential as far as court reporting is concerned. There is so much information that court reporters are exposed to in the court room (some of it disturbing, all of it sensitive and by needs confidential to the room) that having these traits are a must have. Most court reporters are able to develop these traits if they have not already. This list is formulated in order to help you strengthen these traits and be aware of their necessity. Let’s get started!
Lack of Judgment
One of the most important traits for a court reporter to have is to be impartial and reserve judgment. A lack of judgment is important because it is not part of a court reporter’s job description. They are there to report the proceedings in a professional capacity. After all, the main purpose of the court reporter is to detail what goes on– not spend energy on their personal feelings about it. Thus, a lack of judgment on the part of the court reporter is not only important, it’s imperative if the job is to be done correctly and as efficiently and accurately as possible.
Punctuality
Being early and prepared for court proceedings is probably the most important trait a court reporter can develop. It’s not enough to be five minutes early– that leaves a small window of time that could easily transform into running late. Unexpected developments can always occur. A good reporter never leaves being early to the whims of the traffic. They set out their clothing early, have their equipment ready, and leave themselves a good amount of time so that they always show up early. Being punctual means being at least 15 minutes early for a court reporter, so groom this trait in yourself. It’s crucial to your job!
Confidentiality
Court cases are often intriguing, interesting, topical, and most of all, and confidential. While the majority of court reporters respect this, the fact of the matter is that it’s difficult to fight the urge to discuss or gossip about cases that are ongoing. A commitment to confidentiality and never discussing cases with outside individuals is a wise choice. Not only will it help you keep your job, but it is a valuable part of overall professional conduct in this field.
Composure
Having the ability to keep your composure during trials, cases, or testimony is key. Many cases will involve testimony, media, or evidence that is not only graphic but disturbing. It’s the job of a court reporter to stay composed and record the proceedings. Not every case will be sunshine and daisies, but it’s your job to stay neutral and report.
These are four key traits that any good court reporter should place a priority on developing. Even if you believe you already possess and exhibit these traits, it never hurts to review them and keep them in mind. A good court reporter is reliable, punctual, composed, professional and impartial. At the end of the day, the more you groom these traits, the more respected and successful you’ll be in your career, and you’ll be a valuable asset to any proceedings or case.