PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Feb. 4, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031
Celebrate 2025 Court Reporting and Captioning Week
PIERRE, S.D.—Court reporters, court recorders and captioners play a vital role in providing the most accurate mode of capturing the spoken word in courtrooms and turning it into text. Gov. Larry Rhoden and Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen have proclaimed Feb. 1-8, 2025, Court Reporting and Captioning Week in South Dakota.
This weeklong event highlights the many aspects of court reporting and captioning that make it a viable profession, including good salaries, flexibility, interesting venues, and the increasing demand for more reporters, recorders and captioners to meet the growing number of employment opportunities available in the field.
The theme of this year’s annual event is “AI: The Real Accuracy & Integrity.” This week serves as a nationwide effort to highlight that AI cannot, nor ever should, replace a live stenographic court reporter or captioner as their skills are the gold standard of the industry.
Court reporters and captioners rely on the latest in technology to use stenographic machines to capture the spoken word and translate it into written text in real time. These professionals work both in and out of the courtroom recording legal cases and depositions, providing live captioning of events, and assisting members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities with gaining access to information, entertainment, educational opportunities and more.
The South Dakota Unified Judicial System employs both court reporters and court recorders in the courtroom to ensure an accurate record. Court reporters utilize stenographic equipment, while court recorders use electronic recording systems available in the courtrooms.
If you’re looking for a career that is on the cutting-edge of technology, like to write, enjoy helping others, and are fast with your fingers, then the fields of court reporting and captioning are careers you can explore at NCRA/discoversteno.org.
To see current job opportunities with the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, visit https://ujs.sd.gov/Careers/JobOpenings.aspx.
View the proclamation.
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About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.