Remember the basics - Do not omit any portions of the trial transcripts or produce inaccurate transcripts. A careful proofread of all transcripts can help you avoid significant mistakes.

Timeliness - In order to avoid being held in contempt of court for not producing transcripts in a timely fashion, it is important to know the expectations of the attorney when arranging the delivery of the transcripts.

Keep track of your transcripts - Although rare, court reporters have faced jail time for misplacing transcripts.

Collect the relevant exhibits - It can be difficult, if not impossible, to track down exhibits once a deposition has ended. Do not be afraid to obtain all of the necessary exhibits while they are available.

Know the relevant names and terms - Do not hesitate to ask if you do not know the correct spelling of someone's name or an unusual term. In some cases, you can request the definitions of relevant terms to improve your accuracy.

Arrive to all court hearings or depositions on time - If you are unable to attend as planned, notify the agency you are working with to avoid any repercussions.

Do not hesitate to interrupt the proceedings - Someone who is speaking quickly or mumbling can make the process of recording nearly impossible. By asking them to speak up, you can help guarantee the accuracy of your reporting.

Back up your records - Maintaining duplicate copies of your transcripts can ensure that the loss of a transcript will not cause unwarranted harm. Claims from an involved party who alleges that they have been harmed by the loss of the transcript are common.

Comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations - If you fail to correctly handle what qualifies as Personally Identifiable Information (PII), you can face legal ramifications. It is prudent to keep original exhibits in a locked, secured room and electronic data on servers that are protected by a firewall with updated anti-virus software.