AL Court Reporter key terms

A chorded keyboard device used by court reporters that lets the operator press multiple keys at once to produce syllables and words in a single stroke.

A single simultaneous press of one or more keys on a stenotype machine, which the translation software converts into letters, syllables, or whole words.

A situation in which the same stenographic stroke could translate to more than one word or phrase, requiring the reporter to choose or define a distinguishing outline.

A shortened stenographic outline assigned to a common word or phrase so the reporter can write it in fewer strokes and with less finger movement.

The process by which a stenotype machine's strokes are converted by computer software into readable text almost instantly, often displayed on monitors during a proceeding.

Computer-aided transcription software that stores stenographic outlines, translates them into text, and helps the reporter edit, format, and produce a final transcript.

The stage of transcript production in which a trained editor reviews computer-translated text for untranslated strokes, mistranslations, and formatting errors before final proofreading.

Careful reading of a finished transcript to catch errors in spelling, punctuation, capitalization, names, numbers, and formatting before the document is certified and delivered.

The reporter's signed statement attached to a transcript affirming that the document is a true and accurate record of the proceedings as taken.

The written, formatted record of spoken proceedings produced from the reporter's stenographic notes and delivered to the parties or filed with the court.

A document, object, or other item marked for identification and formally offered or admitted into evidence during a proceeding, with its markings recorded by the reporter.

The formal act of assigning a label, such as Plaintiff's Exhibit 3, to an item so it can be referred to and tracked in the record, even before it is admitted.

The questioning of prospective jurors or witnesses to test their qualifications, bias, or competence before they serve or testify.

A discussion between the judge and attorneys held away from the jury, often at the bench, which may or may not be recorded depending on the court's rules.

A status in which statements are not to be captured as part of the official transcript, usually declared by the judge and noted by the reporter.

The status of proceedings that are being officially captured by the reporter and will become part of the permanent transcript.

A temporary pause in a proceeding ordered by the judge, after which the session resumes, with the reporter noting the time and any change in participants.

An objection in which counsel states the legal grounds aloud on the record, as opposed to a general objection, so the basis is preserved for review.

A statement made by counsel outside the jury's presence describing what excluded evidence would have shown, made to preserve the issue for appeal.

The opportunity given to a convicted defendant to address the court personally before sentencing, which the reporter must capture verbatim.

The court proceeding in which a judge imposes punishment on a convicted defendant, including any statements by the parties and the defendant's allocution.

Sworn out-of-court testimony of a witness taken in question-and-answer form before trial, recorded by a court reporter and usable for discovery or impeachment.

A formal swearing or affirmation to tell the truth, administered to a witness before testimony and noted by the reporter at the start of the record.

A Latin phrase meaning by the court, used for an opinion issued in the name of the whole court rather than attributed to a single judge.

A Latin phrase meaning of one's own accord, describing an action a court takes on its own initiative without a party's request.

A Latin phrase meaning the thing speaks for itself, a doctrine allowing negligence to be inferred from the mere fact that an accident occurred under the defendant's control.

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted, generally inadmissible unless an exception applies, and frequently the subject of objections the reporter records.

A witness's legal qualification to testify, based on the ability to observe, recall, and relate facts and to understand the duty to tell the truth.

The medical term for a heart attack, caused by interrupted blood flow to heart muscle, often appearing in testimony and requiring accurate spelling in the transcript.

The medical term for a stroke, resulting from interrupted blood supply to the brain, frequently encountered in personal injury and medical testimony.

Abnormally high blood pressure, a common diagnosis in medical records and testimony that the reporter must spell and capitalize correctly.

The party who initiates a civil lawsuit by filing a complaint and who bears the burden of proving the claims at trial.

The party against whom a civil lawsuit or criminal charge is brought and who must respond to the allegations in court.

The initial pleading filed by a plaintiff that states the claims, parties, and requested relief and begins a civil action.

A court order compelling a person to appear to testify or to produce documents, often read into the record when a witness fails to appear.

Reproduced word for word exactly as spoken, the standard of accuracy required of an official transcript of proceedings.

A dialogue or exchange of remarks between the judge and counsel or among the parties, which the reporter records as part of the proceedings.

A word or phrase set off by parentheses or commas that adds nonessential information, and in transcripts also a bracketed note describing an action or event.

One of two or more words that sound alike but differ in spelling or meaning, such as their and there, a frequent source of transcription error.