AR Court Reporter cheat sheet

Arkansas official court reporters are officers of the court appointed to record proceedings verbatim; the transcript is the official record when certified.

A party requesting a transcript files a written request; the reporter prepares it from stenographic notes or electronic recording and certifies its accuracy.

Reporters may record by stenotype, voice writing, or electronic audio; the method must permit accurate transcription of the proceedings.

On-the-record colloquy must be captured; off-the-record discussions are excluded unless the court directs they be reported.

Objections, rulings, sidebars, and bench conferences placed on the record are transcribed when relevant to the appeal or the record.

A court reporter may be called to read back prior testimony on the court's or a party's request when the record is in dispute.

Interpreted proceedings require the reporter to record both the foreign-language testimony (where feasible) and the English interpretation.

Exhibits are marked for identification and custody is logged; the transcript references exhibit numbers rather than reproducing their contents.

The Arkansas Rules of Appellate Procedure govern transcript designation, ordering, and deadlines for perfecting the record on appeal.

The appellant designates the record and orders the transcript; the reporter certifies and files it within the time set by rule or court order.

Extensions of time to file the transcript require a motion supported by the reporter's affidavit showing good cause.

Administrative orders of the Arkansas Supreme Court set certification, continuing-education, and reporting requirements for official reporters.

Reporters' fees and transcript page rates are set by statute and administrative order rather than by private negotiation.

Sealing and confidentiality of records are governed by court order and applicable rules; reporters release transcripts only as authorized.

The Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Automation and the Administrative Office of the Courts oversee court reporting standards and forms.

A court reporter is a neutral officer of the court; impartiality is required and no party may influence the transcript's content.

Reporters must not alter, add to, or delete from the record; corrections require a court order or a properly documented errata procedure.

Ex parte communications about pending proceedings with a party or counsel are improper; all substantive contact is on the record or through the court.

Confidentiality applies to sealed, in-camera, and juvenile matters; disclosure is limited to persons authorized by law or court order.

Conflicts of interest (e.g., close relationship with a party or counsel, prior employment) must be disclosed to the court for resolution.

Reporters may not provide legal advice, summarize testimony, or characterize a witness's demeanor in the transcript.

Transcript fees are set by law; reporters may not charge differential rates or condition delivery on unrelated demands.

Maintaining competence through continuing education and accurate, contemporaneous notes is an ethical duty, not merely an administrative one.

Transcripts follow a standard format: caption, appearances, index, body, certification, and reporter's signature.

Each page carries the case caption, page number, and line numbers; the certification states the transcript is a true and accurate record.

Speaker identification uses the party or witness name and role; colloquy is attributed and interruptions are noted.

Errata sheets allow correction of scrivener's errors; substantive changes require the court's approval and notice to all parties.

The reporter retains stenographic notes, audio files, and drafts for the period required by court rule or administrative order.

Original certified transcripts are filed with the clerk; copies are furnished to parties on request and payment of lawful fees.

Time-stamped backup audio is preserved for electronic recording methods to allow verification of disputed passages.

Chain-of-custody logs document exhibit handling and storage from marking through appeal or disposition.