JOB OPENING: STENOGRAPHER

Job Title:	Court Reporter - (Stenographer)
Closing Date/Time:	Continuous
Salary:	$35 - $48 Hourly $39,943.44 - $63,224.64 Annually
Job Type:	Full-time
Location:	South Florida
These positions are being posted internally for the Miami, North and South Miami, Key West, Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, Palm Beaches Steno Court Reporters only. Accurate is seeking multiple resourceful, self-motivated Court Reporters to be assigned to our growing list of jobs. Applications will be accepted until further notice. Terms of employment for Court Reporters hired under this posting will be provided during the personal interview.  Work hours for these positions are 8:30am – 5:00p.m. (After 5pm overtime rates apply).     The Court Reporter CMR may be assigned on a rotating basis to support a specific client request. The Court Reporter CMR, whether assigned to the courthouse or on rotating assignments, prepares and distributes transcripts in accordance with rules of court, opinions, state statutes, legal guidelines and policies. The Court Reporter CMR is distinguished from the Electronics by reporting to District Court Administration and working as part of a pooled group of court reporters based out of the type of case and specifics request that our client may have. Work assignment and work direction is received from our C.E.O. Sharon Hodge and Director in charge. Work assignment may include preparing transcripts requested by the Court during work hours, tasks to support the operation of our staff, and other duties as assigned.  Example of Duties: •Captures verbatim record of court proceedings in multiple courtrooms using stenography equipment. May be assigned on a regular basis to support a specific need our firm may experience in a courtroom, hearing office or chambers, or may perform other duties as assigned. •Maintains complete records of all verbal and nonverbal incidents related to the proceedings, including but not limited to identifying participants by name, marking and identifying exhibits, noting any "off the record" discussions allowed, objections, bench or side-bar conferences, motions and rulings, and types of testimony in Real Legal format.  •Maintains a high level of concentration and attentiveness throughout all proceedings, regardless of disruptions and other unpredictable and adverse conditions.  •Plays or reads back testimony if requested to do so, upon which subsequent testimony, objections and rulings are based.  •Maintains accurate and complete files and records, including digital log notes, cassette tapes, computer disks, exhibit lists, witness lists, court calendars, and other materials for archiving at our main office. •Subject to and must be aware of changes in Florida Statutes, Rules of Court, District Court policy, Florida Official Court Reporter Procedure Manual, and Handbook for Stenographer Court Reporters, all of which include rules and policies for transcription, time constraints, necessary documentation, forms, and fees. •Transcribes, proofreads, certifies and distributes official transcripts and related reports and documents upon request by transcribing court proceedings from digital record and detailed log notes or stenographic records; it includes providing transcripts in electronic format (.ptx) as well as electronically signed. •Research and retrieve information from court information system as required.  Typical Qualifications: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS •Current Court Reporter •High School Graduate and •Certification as an Stenographer Court Reporter, or •Graduate of a Court Reporting Program approved by the Florida Supreme Court and/or NCRA PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS •Considerable knowledge of court procedures relating to establishing the official court record.  Reasonable speed 230< per minute with at least 95% of accuracy. •Knowledge of computer hardware and software applications. •Knowledge of digital recording equipment, including microphone sound pick-up patterns, and microphone connection and placement in order to obtain a high quality recording. •Interest in and ability to learn new technology and computer programs. •Ability to be flexible regarding assignments, which may include travel and transportation equipment. •Ability to simultaneously monitor multiple court proceedings and write clear, detailed log notes regarding significant occurrences for extended periods of time. •Ability to exercise independent judgment in all aspects of job performance. •Ability to communicate clearly and concisely with a diverse group of people. •Ability to recognize, investigate and analyze a variety of technical problems and recommend and implement effective solutions. •Skill in organizing and prioritizing multiple tasks. •Ability to work well in a team environment while performing independently. •Excellent interpersonal skills.  Supplemental Information: For internal applicants, the selection process is a resume-based, skill-matching process. If your skills match the required skills for this position, the department may contact you.  If you have questions regarding the posting feel free to contact Sharon Hodge or to Apply online click here. Phone: (754)-77-STENO  /  (754) 777-8366

How to Find a Court Reporter That Meets Your Needs

Just as you wouldn't hire a mediocre attorney to try your firm's cases, you shouldn't hire a mediocre court reporter to support your firm's depositions. Although attorneys, judges and juries are often thought of as determining the outcome of a case, in terms of deposition quality, a court reporter can play a significant role in determining whether or not your depositions adequately support your legal strategies. As you search the Internet or question experienced colleagues, you'll find plenty of advice on how to find a court reporter that meets your needs. But when the advice seems conflicting, there are some time-tested principles that have helped numerous law firms find a court reporter that meets. We list them below.

Consulting with a Reputable Court Reporting Agency

All reporting agencies present an image of reputability. But an agency's value ultimately lies in how well it screens its candidates. At some agencies, the screening process consists of verifying credentials, references and work history. But the best agencies also put reporters through a rigorous screening process that reveals their personal proclivities. For example, a reporter who has a short temper or no tolerance for boredom isn't a reporter that you would want recording a deposition where a deponent is surly, takes excessively long pauses or gives meandering answers that go nowhere. Although a reporter's objective skills are always the first matter of concern, hiring a reporter who has the right personality is crucial as well.

Thoroughly Interviewing Freelance Reporters

Law firms decide to hire a freelance reporter for a variety of reasons, but usually because the reporter is willing to under bid reporting agencies. Hiring a freelancer instead of an agency reporter doesn't mean that you'll receive less talent. But it does mean that you'll have to put the reporter through the same screening process that an agency would. Two mistakes that law firms frequently make when hiring freelancers are: not evaluating the reporter on a personal level and not asking for references in addition to the references listed on a reporter's resume. Contacting several of a reporter's unlisted clients and then balancing their reports against the reports of listed clients often tells the true story of a reporter's quality.

Implement a One-Strike Rule for Major Errors

After hiring a court reporter, your concern will be ensuring that the reporter continues to work at a high level. Due to the technical nature of court reporting, all court reporters occasionally make errors, most of which are corrected before a transcript reaches your desk. But it's the uncorrectable errors that you have to worry about, such as a reporter rudely interrupting a witness, losing his or her temper during a deposition or skipping a deposition. Such errors could easily compromise the strength of your case and should not be tolerated even once.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4199555

GMAIL - Apple Mail 4.0

Apple Mail 4.0

Please note that if you're adding your Gmail address to Apple Mail 4.0 for the first time with automatic configuration, your mail will be configured for IMAP1 access.
In order to configure POP2 Gmail account for the first time, please follow these steps carefully:

1. Enable POP. Don't forget to click Save Changes when you're done.
2. Open your Apple Mail client
3. Fill in the ‘Welcome to Mail’ window with the following information:
• Full Name: [your name]
• Email Address: your full email address [username@gmail.com, or username@your_domain.com for Google Apps users]
• Password: your Gmail password
• Important: Hold the option button down until ‘Create’ turns into ‘Continue’


4. Click Continue
5. Fill in the following Incoming Mail Server information:
• Account Type: Select POP
• Incoming Mail Server: Change this to pop.gmail.com
• User Name: your full email address [username@gmail.com, or username@your_domain.com for Google Apps users]
• Password: your Gmail password
• Important: Hold the option button down until ‘Create’ turns into ‘Continue’


6. Click Continue
7. Incoming Mail Security
• Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): selected
• Authentication: Password
• Important: Hold the option button down until ‘Create’ turns into ‘Continue’


8. Click Continue
9. Enter the following Outgoing Mail Server information:
• You can leave description blank - this field is optional
• Outgoing Mail Server: smtp.gmail.com
• Use Authentication: selected
• User Name: your full Gmail address [username@gmail.com, or username@your_domain.com for Google Apps users]
• Password: your Gmail password
• Important: Hold the option button down until ‘Create’ turns into ‘Continue’


10. Click Continue.
11. Outgoing Mail Security
• Use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL): selected
• Authentication: Password
• Important: Hold the option button down until ‘Create’ turns into ‘Continue’


12. Click Continue
13. Review your Account Summary and uncheck Take account online as you will need to adjust your incoming port number
14. Click Create


15. Once your client opens, you’ll need to change your incoming port number to 995. To edit your incoming port number, please click Mail>Preferences... > Accounts tab > Advanced
    • Important: Your port number must be 995
    
    
16. After you’ve updated your port number, you can take your accounts online and download new messages by clicking Mailbox > Get All New Mail

If you have already configured Apple Mail 4 for POP and are trying to add an additional email, please start by following these steps:

1. Click Mail > Preferences....
2. On the Accounts tab, click the + button to add a new account.
3. You will then need to repeat the steps above.

1. IMAP: IMAP (Internet message access protocol) lets you download messages from Gmail so you can access your mail with a program like Outlook Express or Apple Mail. IMAP syncs the actions you take in Outlook Express or Apple Mail with Gmail so if you read a message in your mail client, it'll be marked as read in Gmail.
2. POP: POP (Post office protocol) is a one-way download of your messages that allows you to access your mail with a mail program like Outlook Express or Apple Mail. POP only offers one-way communication, which means that actions you take in the mail program (like marking a message as read) won’t be synced to Gmail.

Express Scribe Transcription Software Foot Pedal Controlled Digital Transcription Audio Player Express Scribe is professional audio player software for PC or Mac designed to assist the transcription of audio recordings. A typist can install it on their computer and control audio playback using a transcription foot pedal or keyboard (with 'hot' keys). This transcribing software also offers valuable features for typists including variable speed playback, multi-channel control, playing video, file management, and more. Get Express Scribe Free The free version of Express Scribe supports most common audio formats including wav, mp3, wma, aif and dct and does not expire. Download the free version here. You can always upgrade to the professional version later for support of proprietary formats including ds2, mvf and support for video files. Download MacPurchase Pro Edition More Digital Transcription Software screenshots >>> Transcription Software Features Variable speed playback (constant pitch) Supports audio and video playback Plays most formats including encrypted dictation files. Seesupported file formats Supports professional foot pedals which connect to the USB port to control playback. More info... Uses 'hotkeys' to control playback when transcribing into other software (e.g., Word) Dock both analog and digital portable voice recorders to load recordings Works with Microsoft Word and all major word-processors Automatically receives and loads files by internet (FTP), email or over a local computer network Automatically sends typing to those who dictated the work Works with speech recognition software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking to automatically convert speech to text Loads CD audio directly - start to work as it loads in the background Can switch to 'mini' mode to reduce screen space Integrate with dictation management systems such as Express Delegate Dictation Workflow Works with FastFox typing utility for entering medical/legal phrases and common phrases with keyboard shortcuts

Transcription Software Transcribe Features System Requirements Download Now - for Windows - for Mac OS X Foot Pedal Controls Introduction Tutorial Screenshots Questions (FAQs) Technical Support Discussion Forum Pricing and Purchasing Related Software Dictation Recorder iPhone Dictation App Internet Dictation Telephone Dictation Sound Editor Software Extract Audio from CD Court Audio Recorder Music Transcription Typing Tutor Software for Typists More Software... Recommended Hardware Foot Pedal Controllers - Buy Pedals - DIY Pedals Headsets Microphones

Professional Foot Pedals Increase your words per minute by giving your feet control of playback, leaving your fingers free to type.The pedals are "plug and play" which make them easy to install and use. There are three controls which are usually set up for rewind, play/pause and fast-forward. Purchase a foot pedal 'DIY' foot pedal solutions Express Scribe has been designed to work with professional foot pedals to help improve your transcription turn-around and increase productivity.Transcription foot pedals are suitable for both Windows and Mac OS X. Express Scribe Free Express Scribe Pro AltoEdge Foot Pedals Non-AltoEdge Foot Pedals (e.g. VEC, Vpedal, etc.) DCT (encrypted dictation) MP3, WAV, WMA, AIFF, MP2, M4A DS2 (Digital Speech Standard Pro) Sony Recorder formats (msv, dvf) Philips, Grundig, Olympus digital recorder formats Video Playback (AVI, MOV, WMV and many more) Home Use / Small Business Use Licenses Corporate / Enterprise / Government License Technical Support Available System Requirements Windows XP/Vista and Windows 7 Works on Mac OS X 10.3 and above See Windows 98 and Windows 2000 for earlier versions Sound Card or Integrated Sound Support Optional - Foot Pedal Controller Optional - SAPI Speech Engine Optional - Internet to automatically receive files Download Express Scribe Transcription Software Download Express Scribe for Windows Download Express Scribe for Intel Mac Download Express Scribe for PPC Mac Express Scribe typing foot pedal software is just one part of the NCH Software dictation suite, other titles include: Recommend Express Dictate dictation recorder for easy integration with Express Scribe. Use FastFox typing expander to automatically expand words to lines of text. HourGuard time sheet recording software is ideal for tracking time spent on typing projects. Easily manage the billing of your client list withExpress Invoice Invoicing Software. For more software see our Dictation Software page.

Microsoft Office 365

What is Office 365?

It is secure, anywhere access to email and calendars, Office Web Apps, web conferencing, and file sharing.

See how it works | Compare plans

Email and calendars

Access your email and calendar from your computer, the web, and phone.*
Watch the video >

• Professional cloud-based email
• 25 GB of mailbox storage for each user
• Share calendars and schedule meetings

 

 

Office Web Apps

Create, store, and edit Office docs online.
Watch the video >

• Includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and OneNote Web Apps
• Edit and create files using a browser
• Open and edit files created in Office**

 

 

Web Conferencing

Schedule online meetings in seconds.
Watch the video >

• Connect with video conferencing
• Give live online presentations
• Share desktops and co-present

 

 

File sharing

Manage content and collaborate online.
Watch the video >

• Share files with customers and your team
• 10 GB storage for your company plus 500 MB per user

 

 

Website

Launch a professional website for your business.
Watch the video >

• No code required to easily create and publish your website
• Use your own domain name
• No website hosting costs 

 

 

Mobility

Be productive on the go.

Watch the video >

• Retrieve and send email, contact info, and appointments with Windows Phone, iPhone, iPad, Android, Symbian, and Blackberry devices

Office 365 Resources

• FAQ >
• Trust Center (Learn more about privacy, security and compliance in Office 365) >
• Service Descriptions (Get detailed information on Office 365 features and services) >
• Get answers to your technical questions in the Office 365 community >
• Need an expert to assist with Office 365 deployment? A Microsoft Partner can help. >

JUDGES' MOTION CALENDAR INFORMATION

Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, click here to see the Judge's Calendar information.

Obtaining Records

Office Location, Hours, and Mailing Address

United States District Court
Records Section
400 North Miami Avenue, 8th Floor North
Miami, FL 33128

General Information: (305) 523-5210

Office Hours:
Monday – Friday (excluding Federal holidays)
8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

PACER (Public Access Court Electronic Records)

PACER is an electronic public access service that allows users to obtain case and docket information from Federal Appellate, District and Bankruptcy courts, and the U.S. Party/Case Index via the Internet. An access fee of $.08 per page, as approved by the Judicial Conference of the United States, will be assessed for access to PACER service. A log-in and password, issued by the PACER Service Center, is required for access to PACER. If you do not already have a PACER account, you may register on-line by clicking here.

PACER provides criminal and civil cases filed on or after July 1, 2000 and all documents are stored in Abobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF). If you do not have the Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can obtain it for free here.

You can access the PACER system via the internet by clicking here or access the PACER system by using a public terminal at any of the Courthouse locations (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce and West Palm Beach). The same fees will apply.

Although you are encouraged to obtain the information you seek through the PACER systems, the Clerk’s Office will fulfill copy requests at a cost of $.50 cents per page, certification of a document is $11.50 per document + .50 cents per page. Copy requests can be made as follows:

• in person at any of the Courthouse locations
• contacting the Records Section

Please be advised, we will order only Civil records that have been archived and are located at the Federal Records Center (FRC) in Atlanta, Georgia.  The fee for this service is $45.00.  Individuals can order criminal cases directly from FRC or we can can order for them .  The fee for this service is $53.00.  If case is over 25 years then order should be made to NARA.

Copy of Naturalized Citizens Name Change- This is only if you were sworn in by the Federal Court, Southern District of Florida.  Cost: $11.50 PER name, this includes one certified copy.

What is a Word Index From Court Reporters?

A word index is a list of terms used in a legal transcript. It is a form of litigation support to help attorneys find particular testimony in the transcription of deposition or court proceedings. The words are listed in alphabetical order in columns with a page and line number citation for easy reference. They are made using a special software program and the electronic format of transcribed proceedings. Word indexes are usually provided by court reporting services at the back of a certified transcript as a convenience to the reader.

Efficiency

Some deposition or court testimony is very lengthy. When a court reporter is present and takes down the testimony, the attorney may later wonder exactly what it was the witness said. They may have a foggy recollection of a few of the words that were used, but do not wish to read an entire transcript to find that one small portion. While computerized versions may involve a simple search in a typical word processing program, the paper transcript is more of a challenge. When the word index is attached to the back of the transcript, it is simple to flip to the back pages and find a word with its reference. If the word is used more than once, the citations appear in numerical order. For example, if the lawyer knows the witness used the words "fuzzy dice" to describe a car's interior and is looking for that section of testimony, they could either look for the words fuzzy or dice to find the correct page and line number.

Court Reference

Finding a portion of testimony while in court before a judge can be nerve wracking without the reference of a word index. An attorney may be attempting to make an impromptu argument when the judge asks when and where it occurred. If it happened in a deposition which was produced in transcript form, the attorney can find it quickly and easily. They can even hand the transcript up to the judge, if needed, with the page open and available for examination.

Exclusions

Not every word in the dictionary is referenced in a word index. There are certain words that are normally excluded because they are used quite frequently in the English language. Using them as a reference point would be impractical. The word "the" for example, would do nothing but clog up the word list with multiple references on every page of the transcript. Most articles, pronouns and prepositions are excluded.

Special Features

Depending on the type of software used for litigation support services, multiple transcripts can be combined to produce one giant word index. This may be helpful in a large case with many witnesses. To find what each one says about "fuzzy dice," for example, would take a long time when searching each transcript individually. To look at a combined index would only take a few moments. Special phrases can also be programmed into the word index software by request. This would likely come from an attorney working on a difficult case. There may be a deposition witness that repeatedly says, "I do not recall." By indexing the phrase, the lawyer may be able to use this as a statistic while making an argument in court later.

Benefits of Legal Videographer / Court Reporter Teams

Whether you use a court reporting firm that also offers legal video or use two separate agencies to handle a deposition's court reporting and videography needs, court reporters and videographers often work well together. A teamwork approach can make the entire process much smoother before, during, and after the deposition.

For example, realtime court reporters typically output their live feeds to monitors located in the courtroom, mediation room, or conference room. When working as part of a court reporter / videographer team, the videographer can quickly patch the court reporter's feed into the existing A/V equipment and even create a synchronized recording containing the video and an overlay consisting of the court reporter's realtime transcript. Some videographers provide court reporters with headphones that are connected to the audio equipment, making it easier for the reporter to hear what's being said.

Teamwork after the deposition can prove invaluable. For example, the court reporter can refer to the video recording to review an inaudible word or verify a comment when editing the final transcript. The court reporter can also provide the videographer with an electronic copy of the final transcript as a courtesy which will help for later video editing or synchronization.

This teamwork is mutually beneficial for both the court reporter and the legal videographer. However, it's most advantageous to you, the client. The behind-the-scenes cooperation ensures that the deposition is recorded accurately both in video and steno form. The synchronized video transcript with close captioned text makes finding and editing video clips a breeze. 

While court reporters and legal videographers from separate firms can work well together and help each other throughout the proceeding, using a team from a single firm ensures a higher level of cooperation. When both team members are from the same company, they're more likely to share equipment such as microphones, monitors, and cables. In fact, they'll likely arrive together in a well-stocked company van and have a routine for setting up and breaking down their equipment. In addition, they'll follow established company procedures which ensure consistency regardless of which individuals make up the team. They will likely work more efficiently, too, as logistical challenges and protocols will have already been worked out between them due to their past experiences together. 

Depending on the firm, location, and nature of your needs, you may encounter the same teams from one proceeding to the next. Having worked with the team in the past, you know what to expect and that all of the details will be taken care of. The case may be different, but the professionals providing court reporting and legal video services will likely live up to your expectations once again.

Though legal video and court reporting are two separate professions that each requires specific skills and expertise, these professions complement each other. This synergy makes requesting a court reporter / legal videographer team a logical choice. When you choose a litigation support firm that offers both court reporting and legal video services, you can take full advantage of teamwork. Start by requesting a team capable of providing you with the specific services you desire. For example, if having a synchronized video transcript right away is important to you, having a realtime court reporter and legal videographer cooperating at the deposition may be more efficient than synchronizing the transcript with the video after the fact.

What advantages have you experienced by choosing a court reporter / legal videographer team? Please share your experiences in the comments link below this article.