Three Capacities In Which Court Reporting Services Work

Posted on: 10 April 2017

Court reporting services are provided by stenographers. These folks use special machines to type shorthand, and convert everything said in court, word for word, to paper document and/or computer document. Usually, a stenographer only works on cases where there is criminal activity and the courts want particularly accurate documentation of what was said and what transpired in court. However, there are special circumstances where a stenographer may provide court reporting services in another capacity.

When Court Takes Place in a Hospital Room

Victims who cannot testify in court because they are stuck in a hospital bed for months to recuperate from injuries incurred by the person charged with the crime may have a stenographer bedside. It is an unusual process, but if the person charged with the crime is present and insists on his/her right to an expedient trial, or if the judge feels that the accused should not have to wait several months for the victim to heal enough to appear in court, court may take place in the hospital room. It is there that the stenographer records what is happening and what is said with a portable stenography machine.

Inside an Interviewing or Holding Cell in Prison

This is another unusual place to hold court, but if the accused is a known felon with a particularly violent past, the judge may opt to hold a hearing in a holding cell in the prison/jail. Here, there is the added safety and security of prison guards who can control the accused and deal with any acts of violence that may occur. The stenographer sits to the side of the judge at the far end of the table, typing away as the hearing occurs. A stenographer may also be present at parole hearings, recording what is said and what the rulings are for each prisoner's parole.

Lengthy Legal Meetings

Court affairs aside, stenographers may also provide their services for lengthy legal meetings. This helps keep track of any agreements or disagreements that the persons involved may have and allows for earlier conversations to be read back to the parties in the room. This is especially useful during business transaction meetings, real estate sales, and legalities, and readings of or disagreements with wills. If you know that you are headed into such a meeting and you want to be sure that no one tries to pull a fast one, take a stenographer in with you.

For more information, contact companies like Farrell Court Reporting.

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