Welcome to my site. My name is Beth, and I'm a proofreader/scopist for court reporters - a job that I thoroughly enjoy.

I decided to create this site so that you - the searcher - can learn a little more about my profession.

I've been working with and for court reporters for over 30 years now. I started out as a typist working for my dad (who is a fantastic court reporter) back in the days when court reporters still dictated all of their jobs and the typist had to type them out. There were/are a lot of good typists out there who also were "note readers," but I never learned at that time to be quite so proficient reading notes of court reporters to eliminate the middle process of dictation.

With the advent of the computer age, court reporting became much simpler for producing transcripts. Their machines became computerized and sophisticated programs were written that could take those strange combinations of letters and "translate" them into English - hopefully making the transcript read as close to the actual testimony as possible.

Once I learned how to "read" the steno from the translation into English, I was off and running into the computer age myself. I began working for a court reporting firm in Wichita, Kansas, as a "scopist," a person who takes the raw transcript before it's been read through the first time and trying to make sense of it - putting in the little words that all reporters are likely to drop from time to time (like "the," "it," and "a") when the going gets fast, adding punctuation, and checking for spellings. A good scopist/proofreader must have an excellent command of spelling and punctuation.

Although I used to have PremierPower and CaseCatalyst 3 keys, I now only use CaseCat4 and above. I no longer have a computer old enough (or actually slow enough) to be able to use the older editing systems. If you're still using them, I highly suggest that you switch to the newest version of CaseCase. You'll never regret it!!! {smile} Although I have do RTF capabilities, I no longer do proofreading for reporters on other systems because it is just not cost efficient for me to do so. If you're on the system that I am on, you just send me the English (SGNGL) file so I can put the corrections directly into the job (with scan marks) so all you have to do is scan to them to make the change rather than having to use an errata sheet. Much quicker for me - and much more efficient for you. But please be assured that I read each job very carefully.

I do both proofreading and scoping for reporters. However, in order to do scoping, I need the CaseCatalyst files - or an RTF file produced with your CAT system (although there are a few minor (and some MAJOR} problems in this process, as the conversion tends to strip out some of the specialized formatting, such as centering and colloquy). If you are on another CAT system, it is best if you do not send the title page or index pages since there are so many special formats on those pages.

I have specialized rates for every occasion, it would seem. My normal turnaround for proofreading and/or scoping is generally 4 to 5 days - but the return is usually quicker. I also am available for expedited (faster than normal turnaround) jobs, at a slightly higher rate. I also do daily copy & immediate turnaround jobs (24-hour and also same-day service - you send, I return). If you would be interested in learning more about my highly competitive rates, please contact me at the link below.

The one period of the week I absolutely do not work is sundown Fridays through sundown Saturdays. That is my family and church time, and I will not make exceptions on this one point. But I like to let people know up front so there are no surprises. Also, since my husband has a new job and his day off from work is Friday rather than Sunday, a lot of times I do not work on Fridays, but Sundays instead. Although I will and do work many Fridays when necessary.

I bill out on the 15th and the last day of the month (or the Friday before if they fall on the weekend). I request payment within that billing period, but I understand the workings of court reporters very well and know that sometimes that's just not possible. I do NOT work on the basis of your accounts receivable (waiting until you get paid for the job that I have just finished for you). I know many firms pay reporters in this fashion. They started out that way when the firm began because they did not have enough income generated to be able to pay on accounts payable. But you must think of me as you would any of your utility bills, a necessary evil (grin) that must be paid each month. This has been my major source of income for more years than I like to count... {smile}. Remember that I get paid considerably less than you do for the work that I perform for you and that I have to work for multiple reporters to make enough for our family to survive (smile). However, I'm not an ogre about it if there is a shortfall on a limited basis (meaning not every other month). All I ask is that you inform me if there is (or going to be) a problem with making payment BEFORE the next billing period so we can work something out ahead of time. I have, in times past, had to turn down work for a reporter until they pay my bill before I will take something more from them.

Well, there you have it, my information in a nutshell. If you are a reporter and would like to talk further, just e-mail me. I am online virtually all day, so I check my e-mail continually.