800.262.DEPO (3376) | 602.258.1440 [email protected]

How to Ensure Accurate Court Reporting

Apr 19, 2022 | Court Reporting

Graphic shows a cartoon courtroom, including judges, jury, and a court reporter, symbolizing how Coash & Coash provides accurate court reporting and legal videography across the US.

Accurate court reporting provides a clear legal record of a court case, detailing the facts of the case during the proceedings and in any appellate actions. While the role of the court reporter is essential, cooperation and communication with the attorney will result in the clearest record. Attorneys seeking advice for an accurate legal record can take the following actions to ensure the best outcome.

The Attorney’s Role in Accurate Court Reporting

While the role of the court reporter is essential to an accurate legal record, attorneys can also take steps to obtain a clean record of their case. This begins with a trustworthy court reporting firm employing qualified court reporters with the correct certifications for your case. There are several levels of certification to consider, which are detailed below. At Coash & Coash Court Reporting and Video, we confer with clients and match them to our qualified Arizona court reporters or reporters across the country as needed.

Once an appropriate court reporter has been assigned, the attorney should always follow best practices and the advice of the court reporter to achieve the most accurate results. More information will follow on a court reporter’s advice for an accurate legal record in part two of this blog series.

What to Expect from a Court Reporter

Once potential court reporters have completed their initial educational program, certifications administered by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) are required to determine their level of proficiency. While some states require a state examination, Arizona court reporters must test to be licensed with the Arizona Supreme Court regarding ethics and Arizona Superior Court rules.

Federal courts may differ in required certifications for court reporters. Court reporters working in US District Courts must receive the Federal Certified Realtime Reporter certification from the US Court Reporting Association.

Attorneys should become familiar with the following types of NCRA court reporting certifications:

  • Registered Skilled Reporter (RSR): entry-level certification;
  • Registered Professional Reporter (RPR): the NCRA’s foundational certification, requiring 95 percent accuracy at 225 words per minute (wpm) for testimony/Q&A;
  • Registered Merit Reporter (RMR): a certification for experienced, skilled reporters requiring 95 percent accuracy capturing testimony/Q&A at 260 wpm;
  • Registered Diplomate Reporter: the NCRA’s highest level of certification, requiring additional written testing to verify extensive knowledge and capability; and
  • Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR): a certification that requires 96 percent proficiency at 200 wpm in real time (without review and editing of the transcript).

Arizona Court Reporters Coash & Coash Provide Accurate Court Reporting Services

Coash & Coash have provided accurate, reliable court reporting for more than 30 years, beginning in the Phoenix area and now serving attorneys and law firms across the country. Their expertise can assist attorneys in recording an accurate legal record of their case or deposition. Preparing for a successful deposition and the advice a court reporter would give to attorneys will be addressed in the next blog in this series.

To learn more about our accurate court reporting or legal videography services, call (800) 262-DEPO (3376) anywhere in the US or (602) 258-1440 in Arizona. You may also schedule a deposition through our online form or contact us online for additional information.

Schedule a Deposition