How to Choose a Merced Court Reporting Agency

Although there are many court reporters and court reporting services in Merced, choosing one that is the best for you does not have to be an arduous task. Licensing and certification is the first thing to check when choosing a court reporter in Merced. Once you are sure they have the proper accreditation, see when they received the accreditation and ask how long they have been in business. If possible, ask around for recommendation or seek out reviews. Once you have a short list of qualified and experienced court reporters, going down a checklist of a few more criteria will help you find the best. A good court reporter in Merced will have these qualities:

Will Work in Any Available Setting.

A court reporter who doesn’t leave the courtroom for deposition recording is a bad choice. Depositions may be required by your lawyer in his office or another location. A good court reporter goes wherever they are needed.

Has The Backing of a Full Agency.

Court reporters that work for an agency are usually more qualified than a freelance court reporter. Besides the state qualifications, an agency may impose additional qualifications to make sure they are only hiring the best. Let the agency do the work of screening for you.

Is Always Available

This is another good reason to go with an agency. Even if your usual court reporter is not available, they will have someone else who is. Reputable court reporting agencies have reporters on-call 24 hours/day. By working with an individual you run the risk of schedule conflicts.

Appearance

Court reporters should always be modestly dressed. Suit and tie for gentlemen and professional dresses or suits for women. No exceptions.

Professionalism

A good court reporter does not stand out. When a good court reporter is working, everyone forgets they are even present. Court reporters do not offer opinions and politely decline any conversation. A court reporter should never display emotions about the outcome of the case.

Speed/Accuracy

A court reporter must be able to transcribe from voice at a rate of 225 words/minute or more. The faster, the better. Accuracy must be 100%. You cannot afford mistakes in any legal transcription.

Additional Services

A good court reporter will offer additional ancillary services often required in conjunction with court reporting. This includes audio and video recording or transcribing from audio or video recordings.