Letter to Attorneys
You have the right to choose your transcriber.
That is THE MOST important thing.
Everything that follows is an explanation why.
I Understand the Importance of the Certified Transcript
By way of a brief background, I have an Associate’s Degree in Court and Conference Reporting. I am a Certified Realtime Court Reporter with 35 years of experience providing court reporting services in court (both State and Federal), depositions, arbitrations, and hearings.
Audio Transcription for the Massachusetts Courts
When requesting an official transcript of a court proceeding, you must choose from the Approved Court Transcribers List. There are certified court reporters, capturing the spoken word at 225+ wpm (words per minute); AAERT certified transcribers (pass an online multiple choice test — no test for typing speed), and AI transcribers (voice recognition software) on the ACT list.
Understanding the Nature of the Beast
Accept the fact that most transcripts produced from an audio recording will not be a verbatim record. Don’t jeopardize the quality of the certified transcript any further by understanding that every transcriber has a different skill set and educational background. You have the ability to know exactly who is doing your transcription and being assured that the transcription is not being outsourced to a third party - possibly a fourth and fifth party.
Sincerely,
Lisa Marie Phipps
Certified Realtime Reporter, Registered Professional Reporter, Certified Shorthand Reporter, Past Legislative Director of the Massachusetts Court Reporters Association
