LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic caused a backlog of court cases in Arkansas, we’ve been following a shortage of court reporters in the Natural State.
However, though more than a year has passed since our last look at the situation, things haven’t really improved.
The role of the court reporter is vital— they are the person who keeps track of everything that occurs.
"Court reporters are the keeper and guardian of the record,” said Heather Pierce, Director of the Arkansas Court Reporting Academy (ARCRA).
She explained how there’s just not enough of them in the state.
The pandemic contributed some, but Kristy Rooney, the owner of the Academy and a certified court reporter, believes that a lack of awareness of the profession has contributed too.
"In high school, a lot of the students say they didn't even hear about it,” Rooney said. “I know I didn't."
This is problematic because as older court reporters retire, there simply aren’t enough people to take their place.
Pierce said one thing that may attract potential court reporters is that in Arkansas, they now use different technology than they used to. Instead of manually typing everything that’s said, they tend to use voice recording technology.
Regardless of the method used, they're still as important as ever.
"Say you're going through a divorce. Or any type of medical malpractice, all of that kind of things. You want somebody to be there and be able to take down the record and do it accurately," said Rooney.
However, if the shortage continues, those people may not be available for important cases. It has led to a lot of openings in different areas of court reporting.
People can freelance, although Rooney said this avenue will mean you have to provide your own equipment. People are also able to become an officials for the state.
Pierce said there are benefits to both— beyond just the number of openings currently available.
“For the freelance side of things, you can create your own schedule,” Pierce said. “The money is amazing. Every time I turn around, it seems like it's higher. Right now, right around $70,000 a year is the average annual salary for a court reporter, but I know many that make well into the six figures.”
Due to the shortage, the ARCRA allows you to take their program online and at your own pace and it can take as little as nineteen weeks to complete.
Pierce explained that if we don't start seeing more graduates, it could spell disaster for the justice system in Arkansas.
“The ratio of the court reporters that are retiring as the new ones are coming in, that ratio is what has concerned us,” Pierce added.
For those interested in the field, more information can be found by clicking here.