New York Court Reporters
New York court reporters have seen major changes in the way they prepare transcripts in the last 30 years. New York court reporters 30 years ago prepared transcripts on typewriters, using carbon paper. Court reporters had two ways of reproducing their paper notes. Some court reporters in New York dictated their notes in a stenorette machine which produced tapes which then went to a typist to type the court reporter’s tapes. The court reporter then proofread the transcript and corrections were made on the typewriter using whiteout or correction paper. Court reporters whose paper notes were of a high quality were able to employ note readers, a person who would type directly from the court reporter’s notes. New York court reporters usually had their favorite note reader who over a period of time become very used to the way a particular court reporter wrote. New York court reporters were more fortunate than court reporters in other parts of the country because there were court reporting schools in New York City and many court reporting students in New York City did not finish the court reporting course but became note readers for court reporters instead. When a large transcript had to be produced in a short period of time, the court reporter’s notes would be broken up between two or more typists. Court reporters in New York City were fortunate to have a large pool of typists available to them to produce quick turnaround in their work product.