r/courtreporting • u/Connect_Tea4506 • 25d ago

Voice v digital recording

For those in California, is digital recording taking over? I am considering becoming a voice writer and want to ensure it’s not a dying profession. Have you seen any preference in the court room? I ask because I have seen both a steno machine and digital recorder in a court room at once.

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u/getin2ityuhh 25d ago

I have a friend that’s a judicial assistant and she says she has seen voice writers! Also, I signed up to shadow for the LA courts and they told me they have had a high amount of students apply so it will take more than 2 weeks to be paired with a court reporter.
I wouldn’t worry about it dying out, voice writing just became acceptable like 2 years ago. Digital recording is looked down upon and only acceptable as a last resort/cheaper option for those who can’t afford a CR.

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u/Connect_Tea4506 25d ago

Thank you so much for sharing that! I was hesitant to start because I have read so many horror stories of voice writers not being trained well in transcription writing and it being frowned upon. But really wanting a career that will allow me to have both flexible hours/stable income.

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u/thetinystenographer 25d ago

The horror stories you hear are from the ones that get out of their program too quick and don’t realize it takes more than just speed tests and exams to be a court reporter. Don’t be one of those! Find an excellent school that teaches you how to use your software and make transcripts and shadow as much as you can and learn from other reporters about the job and you’ll be just fine!

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u/Connect_Tea4506 25d ago

Thank you, I am going to sign up with IRCRI. It’s a tad more expensive but hoping that means I will get a lot out of the program.

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u/beatleslisa 25d ago

I graduated from there and I'm a working CSR!

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u/thetinystenographer 25d ago

I’ve heard great things about that one!

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u/Connect_Tea4506 25d ago

@beatleslisa I would love to chat more if you’re willing to share any tips/advice!

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u/Spicy_Twist_3082 25d ago

Hi! There’s plenty of open reporter positions in CA. We need you! The last three court reporter hires at my court were all voice (me being the latest 3rd addition). Before that I was in a different CA county and was also their third voice writer. I’ve never seen digital reporters here but FTR is utilized often in civil. I definitely do not think digital is taking over here in CA, at least not yet.

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u/hhuslyenbx42 24d ago

I think in Cali you’re good, here in Nebraska they don’t recognize voice and there’s mostly digital

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u/14Calypso 24d ago

Same in my state. The Courts are steno and digital.