NCJ Number
64346
Date Published
Unknown
Length
30 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES CONCERNING THE COURT REPORTER'S REQUIRED TRAINING, OBLIGATIONS, AND WORK PERFORMANCE FOR ILLINOIS COURTS ARE PRESENTED; ADMINISTRATION OF REPORTING SERVICES IS INCLUDED.
Abstract
REDUCING THE SPOKEN WORD TO A VERBATIM REPORT AT HIGH SPEED IS ONLY THE FIRST QUALIFICATION OF A GOOD COURT REPORTER. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE FAMILIARITY WITH LEGAL AND MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY, EXCELLENT SPELLING AND GRAMMAR, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE RULES RELATING TO REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES. REPORTERS MUST BE RESIDENTS OF ILLINOIS, POSSESS A CERTIFIED SHORTHAND REPORTER'S CERTIFICATE UPON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE SHORTHAND EXAMINATION, AND PASS AN OFFICIAL COURT REPORTER PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION. FULL-TIME COURT REPORTERS ARE PAID NOT LESS THAN $6,000 NOR MORE THAN $20,000 ANNUALLY. THE REPORTER MUST BE COOPERATIVE AND COURTEOUS IN ALL HIS DEALINGS; HE SHOULD MAINTAIN THE DEMEANOR OF QUIETNESS AND DIGNITY IN THE COURTROOM. PROMPTNESS AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL ARE IMPORTANT. COURT PROCEEDINGS INCLUDE TRIALS AND HEARINGS. CERTIFIED PROCEEDINGS WHICH REQUIRE OBSERVANCE OF THE STRICTEST CONFIDENCE INCLUDE ADOPTION CASES, JUVENILE HEARINGS, AND SEARCH WARRANT ISSUANCE. CIVIL PROCEEDING RECORDS ARE MAINTAINED FOR 7 YEARS; CRIMINAL PROCEEDING RECORDS ARE MAINTAINED INDEFINITELY. COURT REPORTERS MAY NOT HOLD ELECTIVE PUBLIC OFFICE OR ENGAGE IN PRIVATE REPORTING EMPLOYMENT. COURT REPORTER SUPERVISORS INSTRUCT REPORTERS AS TO THEIR DUTIES AND ENSURE THAT THEY ARE CARRIED OUT. REPORTERS SHOULD BE ROTATED WHEN A TRIAL LASTS MORE THAN 5 DAYS SO THAT PROCEEDINGS MAY BE TRANSCRIBED IN A TIMELY MANNER. APPENDIXES ARE INCLUDED IN THE GUIDELINES. (LWM)