Why Certification Matters for Court Reporters to Safeguard Justice

By Andrea Wecker, CSR, RDR, CRR, CRC, Director of Partner Engagement

Reprinted with the permission of Andrea Wecker and NALA. This article was originally published in NALA’s Q1 2026 issue of Facts & Findings.

In this article, Wecker outlines the vital importance of certified court reporters as a foundational part of the justice system, ensuring an accurate and impartial record and fostering trust and professionalism. Wecker explains that certified reporters, regardless of method, are fundamental for appeals and for fair outcomes, as well as for public trust in the legal system.

“The backbone of justice is the written record and the guarantee that every word spoken can be relied upon when the stakes are highest. Without it, there is no accountability, transparency, or guarantee of fairness,” says Wecker. “Certification is the safeguard that ensures the record is accurate, complete, and reliable, no matter the method used to capture it.”

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