- March 9, 2022
- by Last expert
- Blogs, Legal Transcription, Transcription
- 0 Comments
The demand for legal transcription services is increasing. Their services are sought by a variety of businesses, including legal, medical, insurance, entertainment, and corporate. What is the distinction between legal transcription and court reporting, though? In any business, knowing the distinction can make a tremendous impact.
Legal transcription services vs. court reporting
The terms legal transcribing and court reporting are interchangeable. Both companies produce legal and court transcripts. Each individual must accurately record the words spoken verbatim. Furthermore, the preparation for both is identical, while court reporters’ training is more rigorous.
One significant distinction between the two is the environment in which they work.
Court reporters, as the name suggests, operate mostly in the courtroom. They frequently employ a stenograph, which is a type of transcribing machine. This enables them to make spoken word transcriptions in real time. This is a transcript of a court hearing.
Court reporters must complete a course recognised by the National Court Reporters Association. They must also pass competency tests unique to their state and complete continuing education courses.
A legal transcriptionist, on the other hand, works in a less formal atmosphere. Depositions and hearings, witness interviews, and crucial legal meetings may all require their assistance. They transcribe 911 calls, provide dictation, and assist in the preparation of legal documents. Transcriptions are usually made from audio or video sources.
When do you need a court reporter and when would a transcription service be better?
In an official legal situation, a court reporter transcribes real-time spoken words. For official records of court proceedings, you must hire a court reporter. Hearings behind closed doors may be one of them. A simple rule is that if a judge is present, a court reporter is required.
Many proceedings are also recorded on audio or video and afterwards transcribed. This aid lawyers in catching errors or nuances that are critical to their argument.
Today, the majority of depositions are audio recorded for later transcription.
Remember to use a court reporter for real-time transcriptions. A transcription service is a preferable alternative if an audio or video recording would suffice. Know why should you transcribe audio or video footage as evidence.
How long does it take to provide legal transcriptions?
The option to pause or rewind the recording is a significant benefit of legal transcribing. It’s also possible to compare it to the official court reporter transcription. This ensures the highest level of precision possible. However, this takes time. How much is it?
The length of time differs. An accurate transcription takes at least five hours every audio or video hour. Much depends on the transcriptionist’s ability, particularly their level of schooling.
A transcriptionist’s formal schooling requirements are less stringent. However, superior transcriptions result from a background in legal study, process, and terminology.
The bottom line on legal transcription vs. court reporting
First and foremost, turnaround time is more crucial than transcription time. It is better to utilise a professional provider for a quick turnaround. Not all transcription services are created equal. Some use a group of competent transcriptionists, while others work alone. Before you hire, figure out which is which. It can make a big difference in how quickly you get things done.
Following that, court reporters deliver real-time verbatim transcripts of a legal proceeding. A legal transcription service is a preferable choice if this is not required.
Finally, the output of a legal transcript is influenced by dialects, slang, and accents. Make sure to choose a business that can guarantee a high level of accuracy even in these situations. People’s recordings are frequently handled by legal transcribing services all over the world.