How to Become a Court Transcript Proofreader
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One of the best things about freelance proofreading is getting to work on a wide variety of material. However, there are benefits to choosing a proofreading niche or subject you want to specialize in. One option is to work in the legal field by proofreading transcripts taken during legal proceedings.
This post explores transcript proofreading, explaining what it is, how it differs from other types of proofreading, and how you can become a court transcript proofreader.
What Is Transcript Proofreading?
During legal proceedings, a court reporter (also known as a court stenographer) will use a steno machine to record verbatim everything said. This record, called a transcript, may cover hearings, witness statements, jury instructions, or affidavits.
Because court reporters type so quickly, it’s common for them to make mistakes in their transcripts. Legal documents can have enormous implications for those involved, so these mistakes must be corrected before proceedings continue.
This is where the transcript proofreader comes in! They carefully review each word of a transcript, spotting and fixing any mistakes, before sending the error-free document back to the lawyer. This type of work does not require in-depth editing or significant changes.
Transcription vs. Court Transcript Proofreading
Court transcriptionists listen to audio and type out what they hear verbatim while attending court hearings, legal meetings, or other court events. They need to be able to type fast and have a thorough understanding of legal terminology.
Transcript proofreaders receive the court transcriptionists’ transcriptions and ensure that the documents are consistent and error-free.
Transcript Proofreading vs. Regular Proofreading
Being any type of proofreader requires attention to detail and a good knowledge of language and grammar. But you must be particularly focused when proofreading transcripts because these documents have significant legal implications.
Transcript proofreading can be technical, so knowledge of legal terms is a huge benefit. Transcripts can also be long, so you must be attentive to successfully analyze a text that might not be interesting.
Benefits of Working as a Court Transcript Proofreader
There are many benefits of working as a court transcript proofreader. It’s a job you can do from the comfort of your own home, which allows for a certain amount of flexibility. You set your own hours and can take on as much or as little work as you want, depending on your availability.
And only a small initial investment is required. If you don’t already have the necessary skills for proofreading work, there are affordable courses that will provide you with the training you need.
Because proofreading court transcripts is so technical, its earning opportunities are higher than those for general proofreading work.
How to Become a Court Transcript Proofreader
There are a few simple steps you can follow to become a court transcript proofreader:
- Develop the right skills. The best way to become a court transcript proofreader is by first being a great proofreader. Find out which skills are essential for the job and work on improving them.
- Familiarize yourself with the most common errors. Since transcripts are written hastily, many issues you will encounter involve typos and misplaced or missing punctuation. Homophones and double words are also quite common.
- Make sure you have the right equipment for the job. The equipment required to become a court transcript proofreader is quite basic. All you need is a computer with word processing software and a reliable internet connection to receive, download, and deliver files.
How to Find Transcript Proofreading Jobs
The best way to find jobs in this field is to gain experience as a freelance proofreader. There are many websites to help you in your search for freelance work. As you build a portfolio of work and strengthen your resume, you can consider choosing a niche like transcript proofreading.
The ability to market and promote yourself is also key. Building an online presence with social media, a personalized business website, or even an industry-related blog is beneficial.
Becoming a Proofreader
If being a court transcript proofreader sounds interesting to you, it’s not hard to take the first step.
We offer a Becoming A Proofreader course, which gives you all the skills you need to launch your business and pursue an exciting and flexible career.
Check out our free trial today to see if this is right for you.
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