Two of the Abstract Purposes of Law Education

Three self-asked questions initiated me to write this article: why can't a legal specialist in one country, be equally a legal specialist in all other countries around the world? What can I do, should what I am schooled is different from the real practice in the society? And finally, can I still understand or deal with the law, if the laws adopted by the legislative institution that were once taught in school and latter amended or totally changed, after I become a law practitioner in the society?

Most of us do not know two of the hidden purposes of law education: "being able to deal with brand-new situation and following the positive or negative legal evolution in the society."

Everything, to some extent, always positively and negatively changes; however this tendency has never been taught or been informed in school; it is the hidden purpose of law education. Other subjects besides law may be the same, but I just want to be specific in law subject, to make it easier for me to explain and to make the readers easier to understand this article.

Every law subjects taught in school might not be totally the same as the real practice in the society, or I can say they may be totally different. This is what I call: the social reality. Studying law is also about knowing the social reality. The professors and the learners themselves should teach and be prepared for the always-fluctuated tendency in the society; otherwise we can't be a law specialist.

To me, always making ourselves deeply aware of the real situations not only in the country where the law subjects are taught, but also in other countries around the world, would make us law specialists, then can always adapt to the new situation and be equally a law specialist in any country that we want to work in.

The second purpose of law education is "closely follow the legal evolution." Indeed, as the society diversifies, governmental changes from one mandate to another, laws always change to get on track with these social trends. So the purpose of law education, in this point, is to be always able to follow the legal evolution in the society, the amendments or even the total changes of the laws in the society. Law specialist must be able to practice or give legal advice, no matter how the laws have changed or in even any form of government.

Remember! We are not studying laws for today law specialist, but to always be a law specialist, until we die. And we are not studying law to practice in only one society, we are studying law to practice in any society and any situation.

My advices on law education:

1- Prepare yourself to be a professional problem solver, if you want to study law.

2- Adapting yourself to and always closely follow the legal evolution are the two most important sources to become an internationally-recognized law specialist.

3- Good to the most is the purpose of law.

4- If you study law to be a rich, you will only be rich when you are living, but you will be the poorest, after you die.

Court Reporting ? Education Training Options

A written transcript provides a legal record of a trial or court proceeding that may be used in future proceedings. It is the responsibility of the court reporter to ensure that all transcripts are documented correctly. Educational training options leave two main paths to take and students can complete a program inside a vocational school.

A certificate and associate's degree program are the two main options for education. Students have to work through a preliminary step and a completion step before a career as a court reporter can be entered.

*Preliminary Step: Choose a Method

Formal training is required for this career field because the recorded information has to be accurate. The method of reporting students want to conduct directly affects the length of education needed. Stenography, electronic, and voice writing are three main methods available in court reporting.

To become a stenographer it takes two years of study while becoming a voice writer only takes around one year. While most programs approach learning in a general format many colleges have certain courses that can be taken to work exclusively in one area. Choosing a method is important and determines what level of education should be entered.

*Completion Step: General Approach

A certificate program is a good option for students that do not need or cannot complete a two-year associate's degree program. Students are immersed in courses that teach them to properly use transcription equipment. Shorthand techniques, terminology and technical writing courses are covered to prepare students for the fast paced and technical speech used inside a courtroom. The different areas of court proceedings are broken down into manageable pieces of information. Courses cover the industry by including topics on reporting technology, medical terminology, legal terminology, and testimony transcription. A medical terminology course will familiarize students with human anatomy, disease and drug terminology. Students study by understanding the root of words, which is beneficial when listening to a trial or a physician's testimony. Class work focuses on teaching students to be able to pronounce, spell, and explain medical words correctly.

To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the field students can enter an associate's degree program. Students learn the same material covered in a certificate program while being taught more work related tasks. Students should expect to walk away from a program with the ability to transcribe speech, type quickly and listen intently. Coursework expands to include more information on court reporting through subjects on document formatting issues, court procedures, and shorthand techniques. A court procedures course focuses on the court reporter's role inside trials, meetings, and hearings. Both levels of vocational training prepare students to step into the industry.

Completing the preliminary step to education will provide students with the right educational track. Taking the general approach is the most common path. Students should consider all educational options in order to enter the field that's right for them. Choose an accredited educational program in court reporting that provides the best training options for you. Accreditation is provided by agencies like the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to programs that offer a quality education and meet certain criteria.

 

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