The National Court Reporters Association is now allowing continuing education credits for pro bono work. At its November meeting, the Board voted to allow (1) one hour of credit per year that can be earned either by turning in credit from the NCRA pro bono program, or separately by turning in verifying paperwork for pro bono credit in a non-national pro bono job. The Board also voted to allow 10 credits for the CART training, given by Mary Loughran, in conjunction with providing CART for a non-profit event.
NEW MEXICO JUDICIAL BRANCH
CERTIFIED REAL TIME
COURT REPORTER
(At-Will or Classified)
This job description is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions performed.
SUMMARY
Under supervision, make an instantaneous verbatim stenographic record of court proceedings and process
instantaneous transcripts.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Associates Degree in court reporting or completion of a course of Court Reporter study at an
accredited Court Reporting School.
Education Substitution: None
Experience: One (1) year of reporting experience in a court or legal setting.
Experience Substitution: None
Licensure: National Court Reporters Association Certified Real-Time Reporter (CRR) Certification and
New Mexico Certified Court Reporters (CCR) License.
Other: Completion of a post offer background check may be required.
Knowledge: Knowledge of machine shorthand; state-of-the-art stenographic and realtime reporter
hardware and software for both production and realtime translation; proper English usage, grammar,
vocabulary and spelling; extensive vocabulary and dictionaries including legal, technical and medical
terminology; courtroom procedures; statutes and rules governing the recording of judicial proceedings; rules
of Civil and Criminal Procedure; rules of Appellate Procedure; State Records and Retention Statute as it
relates to court reporting; the New Mexico Court Reporters Board Code of Professional Conduct; the
difference between providing information and legal advice; litigation support software; legal research
methods; general office practices and equipment (i.e., telephone, printer, copier, fax, scanner, and
calculator).
Skill & Ability: Skill in shorthand such that an instantaneous, readable transcript is produced for
immediate use by others; being attentive to details; stenographic reporting and transcribing; concentrating
fully, remaining alert and neutral in court proceedings; maintaining confidentiality; communicating in a
courteous and professional manner with judges, the public, attorneys, jurors and all other parties involved
in cases; understanding written and oral instructions; managing time effectively while handling a highvolume
workload in an environment subject to frequently changing priorities and high stress; knowing when
to seek assistance; operating a stenograph machine in excess of 225 wpm with 95% accuracy; conducting
legal research; utilizing computer software applications (i.e., word processing, spreadsheets, databases,
court case management system, transcription, e-mail and Internet); troubleshooting errors with realtime
hardware and software and transcription equipment; preparing to provide realtime reporting services;
maintaining dictionaries; providing good customer service; using common sense; filing and typing.
2
New Mexico Judicial Branch
Ability to sit and steno type uninterrupted for long periods of time while maintaining complete
concentration; convert shorthand to written transcripts; utilize legal software; train others in utilizing
realtime reporting; organize and prioritize workload; understand complex and technical terminology;
communicate effectively both orally and in writing with diverse parties; respond appropriately to stressful
situations involving distraught, angry or emotional persons; be informative without giving legal advice;
maintain confidentiality; multi-task; meet deadlines under pressure; establish and maintain cooperative
working relationships; work as a member of a team; show diplomacy; receive and follow directions; apply
relevant policies and procedures to assigned work; and provide equal services regardless of the race,
national origin, gender, religion, physical abilities or socioeconomic status.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED
Stenographically report judicial proceedings resulting in an instantaneous verbatim written record to
provide litigants, attorneys, Special Commissioners/Hearing Officers and Judges access to the record for
appellate review, trial preparation and preparation of orders; produce transcripts of court proceedings,
resulting in certified transcripts; retrieve and research files for realtime case preparation and realtime
transcript production; create a job dictionary for each realtime job; research and verify legal, medical, expert
and technical terminology by means of legal research software or judicial experience; prepare and maintain
personal dictionary for realtime translation; mark for identification, log, file and account for court exhibits
to safeguard evidence as a public, sequestered or sealed exhibit; provide, maintain and troubleshoot personal
realtime reporter hardware and software; keep log of prepared transcripts and back up notes to hard drive;
prepare and file interoffice correspondence and required court paperwork and documents; assist hearing
impaired individuals by providing realtime transcripts of judicial proceedings under the ADA; assist court
personnel, general public, litigants and attorneys with realtime training and information; and perform
general administrative reporting other associated duties as assigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The following functions are representative of the work environment and physical demands an employee may
expect to encounter in performing tasks assigned to this job.
Work is performed in an often fast paced and stressful work environment in an office or court setting. The
employee is expected to be punctual and to adhere to assigned work schedule. The employee must regularly
interact positively with co-workers, supervisors, managers, judges and the public; work under severe time
constraints and meet multiple demands from several people. The activities of this job may require
uninterrupted periods of continuous stenographic reporting. The work performed requires frequent use of
computers, repetitious hand, arm and finger motions as well as manual/finger dexterity. The employee must
be able to walk, talk, hear, climb ladders, kneel, stoop; move, lift, pull and carry up to 25 pounds, work
overtime and flexible work hours including weekends and holidays and travel occasionally.
The employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time. The employee may be exposed to
fluctuating building and outdoor temperatures; mental fatigue; hostile or violent situations that may arise
when dealing with individuals involved in court cases; exposed to disturbing or hazardous court exhibits
and contagious health conditions.
Dev: 3/9/98 – Real-time Court Reporter
Rev:12/7/07 – Certified Real Time Court Reporter, Rev 9/23/10 (At-Will)
Examination dates Registration Dates
May 7, 2011 March 8-April 7, 2011
November 5, 2011 September 6-October 5, 2011
Visit www.NCRAonline.org/testing for a list of sites
Additional dates may be added for 2011
Please visit www.NCRAonline.org/certification/testing for updates
UNDER SECTION ENTITLED “TELEPHONIC AND VIDEO-CONFERENCING DEPOSITIONS”
A transcript should not be designated “Telephonic” unless formally noticed, stipulated by counsel, or court ordered. Counsel choosing to attend by telephone does not
constitute a formal telephonic transcript and should be merely indicated on the
appearance page by a parenthetical that counsel appeared telephonically.
Should any party wish to have a proceeding done telephonically, the freelance reporter
is responsible for ensuring that an accurate record can be taken via the telephone.
New Mexico Certified Court Reporters may swear in witnesses in a telephonic or
video-conference deposition if all attorneys present stipulate to such an agreement on the record prior to the swearing in of the witness, and a copy of a photo and/or photo ID of the witness is attached to the transcript as an exhibit. The freelance reporter is to have reflected on the title page that the proceeding is being taken telephonically, as well as what parties appeared telephonically on the Appearance Page.
UNDER SECTION ENTITLED “SWEARING IN WITNESSES”
The officer before whom the deposition is to be taken shall put the witness under oath or affirmation, and shall personally, or by someone acting under the officer’s direction and in the officer’s presence, record the testimony of the witness. New Mexico certified court reporters do not need to be notaries in order to administer the oath in New Mexico judicial cases. New Mexico Certified Court Reporters may swear in witnesses in a telephonic or video-conferencing deposition if all attorneys present stipulate to such an agreement on the record prior to the swearing in of the witness, and a copy of a photo and/or photo ID of the witness is attached to the transcript as an exhibit.
To: All New Mexico CCRsCC:
From: Linda L. McGee, Board Administrator
Date: November 15, 2009
Subject: Continuing Education Change
Due to increased administrative costs, effective January 1, 2010, the CCR Board has deemed it necessary to charge a fee of $20.00 per seminar for evaluation of all non-NMCRA and non-NCRA approved programs.
A new Annual Report/Credit Request Form will be available on our website as of that date.
Court Reporter Board
Advisory Opinion No. 2010-1
Statement of Facts
Several court reporters have asked the Board for a clarification of Rule 22-605(K), stating that it is unclear and confusing.
Conclusion:
It is the Board’s opinion that the following “Instructions For Complying With Rule 22-605(K)” should clarify the confusion relating to this rule. If a court reporter follows these Instructions in every aspect, then the court reporter will be deemed not to be contracting.
COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 22-605(K) INCLUDES:
1. Print the original; print all copies; and copy all exhibits.
2. Bind all documents in your standard binding cover with your
name on it.
3. Deliver all copies directly to all counsel who have ordered
copies, whether by hard copy, E-Transcript, ASCII, or
whatever format. DO NOT DELIVER AND/OR SEND ANYTHING TO
ANY THIRD PARTY AT THIS TIME (see #6).
4. Bill all counsel directly. If you have been hired by a
third party, they may accept ONLY the bill for the O&1.
5. Handle obtaining signature of the witness in accordance
with standard practice. Upon receipt of the Signature/
Correction page, or after the 30-day period has passed,
seal and file the original transcript with the custodial
attorney.
6. AFTER COMPLETION of the above, if you have been hired by a
third party, a locked E-Transcript file or read-only PDF
file may be sent to them for archiving purposes.
These procedures are in place in order to guard against any
impropriety and to protect the integrity of the record.
Authority: Rule 22-402(B)(3)
The Committee on Rules Governing the Recording of Judicial Proceedings
is considering whether to recommend proposed amendments to their rules
for the Supreme Court’s consideration. The proposed amendments can be
seen on the Supreme Court’s web site at
http://nmsupremecourt.nmcourts.gov/ or in the May 18, 2009 edition of
the Bar Bulletin. Follow the link on the web site for “Rules, Forms,
and Opinions” and click on “Proposed Rule Changes (comment period
open)”. You may comment on the proposed amendments on-line.
For environmental reasons, the CCR Board approves the use of four-to-page original transcripts unless otherwise requested by counsel or the Court. For convenience, a reporter may wish to print signature and certification pages full size. This notice is not a mandatory requirement, only an allowed practice. Both the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals have approved this Notice.
THE BOARD GOVERNING THE RECORDING
OF JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS
A BOARD OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW MEXICO
POST OFFICE BOX 92648 ➛ ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO 87199-2648
Phone: (505) 821-1440 Fax: (505) 821-2940
ccr@ccrboard.com www.ccrboard.com
November 6, 2007
Carmela V. McAlister, President
New Mexico Court Reporters Association
P.O. Box 27607
Albuquerque, NM 87125-7607
RE: NMRA 1-030 E. Interpretation
Dear Ms. McAlister:
At its meeting on October 23, 2007, the Supreme Court Board Governing the Recording of Judicial Proceedings discussed the issue raised in your August 26th letter. The Board has discussed NMRA 1-030 in the past. Upon review, the Board could find no interpretation of the NMRA 1-030E. from the Supreme Court.
It is not within the purview of the Board to interpret Supreme Court Rules. In its discussions, the Board noted: (a) Rule 1-030E only directs that the deponent or a party request that the deposition be read and signed, and that request must be made before the taking of the deposition is completed; and (b) the Board does not read this Rule to prohibit the reporter from asking if the deponent or any party wants the deposition to be read and signed. These discussions should not be taken as official acts of the Board.
If you have additional questions, please contact me and I will present your questions to the Board.
Sincerely,
Linda L. McGee
CCR Board Administrator
