Criminal Law Certificate Programs

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Court Reporter

Court reporters create verbatim transcripts of legal proceedings, speeches, meetings, and even conversations. They use several methods to ensure that the spoken word is accurately recorded. Some court reporters use stenotype machines. When they press multiple keys on the machine at the same time, it... see more records combinations of letters that represent sounds, words, or phrases. The combinations are recorded electronically and displayed as text. This process is known as computer-aided transcription. Stenotype machines are also used in real-time court reporting. Reporters type in text that appears instantly as real-time captions on display screens. Called Communication Access Realtime Translation, this process is primarily used in courtroom settings, although it is also used for closed-captioning of television programs for the hearing impaired. Reporters that specialize in this type of work are called stenocaptioners. They may be employed by television and cable stations, sporting events, and a variety of other businesses.

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Lawyer

Lawyers serve as both advocates and advisers. As advocates, they speak for their clients in court by presenting supportive evidence. As advisers, they counsel their clients on their legal rights and obligations. Lawyers--also called attorneys and counselors--can interpret laws, apply laws to specific... see more situations, and draft new laws. Much of their work involves researching precedents, which are earlier interpretations of laws and the history of judicial decisions based on that law. Lawyers use precedents to support their cases in court. Many resources--from law libraries and public documents to computer databases and the Internet--are available to lawyers for research. Most lawyers have private practices that handle many kinds of legal problems. Some work for larger law firms, corporations, and government agencies. Others teach law. Some lawyers become district attorneys or judges, while many enter politics