CA Court Reporter flashcards
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32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.
- Subject-verb agreement
- A grammatical rule requiring the verb to match the subject in number and person. Singular subjects take singular verbs; plural subjects take plural verbs, except for collective nouns.
- Comma splice
- An error occurring when two independent clauses are joined only by a comma. Correct by adding a conjunction, using a semicolon, or separating into two sentences.
- Apostrophe use
- Punctuation mark indicating possession or omission. Add 's for singular possessive, s' for plural possessive ending in s, and omit for plural nouns.
- Semicolon
- Punctuation mark used between independent clauses not joined by a conjunction, or between items in a series when items contain commas.
- Affect vs. effect
- Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence; effect is usually a noun meaning result. Effect can also be a verb meaning to bring about.
- Principal vs. principle
- Principal means main or a sum of money or head of a school; principle means a rule or belief. Use principal as adjective, principle as noun.
- Fewer vs. less
- Fewer is used for countable items (fewer books); less is used for uncountable quantities (less water).
- Shall vs. may
- In legal writing, shall indicates a mandatory action; may indicates a permissive or discretionary action.
- Transcript line numbering
- Each page of a transcript contains 25 numbered lines, with numbers printed on the left margin to aid reference during proceedings.
- Colloquy formatting
- Spoken dialogue in a transcript is single-spaced, with each speaker's name in uppercase followed by a colon, indented 10 spaces.
- Exhibit marking
- When an exhibit is identified, the reporter notes the exhibit number and description in parentheses within the transcript record.
- Certification page
- The final page of a transcript where the reporter signs and dates a statement affirming the transcript is a true and accurate record.
- Subject-matter jurisdiction
- The authority of a court to hear a particular type of case. It cannot be waived and may be raised at any time.
- Stare decisis
- The legal principle that courts should follow precedent established by higher courts in the same jurisdiction to ensure consistency.
- Hearsay
- An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. It is generally inadmissible unless an exception applies.
- Voir dire
- The process of questioning prospective jurors to select an impartial jury, or a preliminary examination of a witness's qualifications.
- Medical suffix -itis
- A suffix meaning inflammation, as in arthritis (joint inflammation) or bronchitis (inflammation of the bronchi).
- Vital signs
- Clinical measurements including blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, and oxygen saturation, used to assess health status.
- Anatomical directional terms
- Terms describing body positions: anterior (front), posterior (back), lateral (side), medial (middle), proximal (near), distal (far).
- Diagnostic imaging abbreviations
- MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging; CT stands for computed tomography; EKG/ECG stands for electrocardiogram.
- Impartiality
- The ethical duty of a court reporter to remain neutral and not favor any party in a proceeding, ensuring an accurate and unbiased record.
- Confidentiality
- The obligation not to disclose information from court proceedings except as required by law or court order.
- Conflict of interest
- A situation where a reporter has a personal or financial interest that could influence their impartiality; the reporter must disclose and may need to recuse.
- Certificate of correction
- A document filed by the reporter to correct errors in a transcript after it has been certified, with notice to the court and parties.
- Stenotype keyboard layout
- The 22-key keyboard includes initial consonants, vowels, final consonants, and a number bar, allowing chords to form syllables and words.
- Briefs
- Shortened stenographic strokes used to represent common words or phrases, improving speed and efficiency in transcription.
- CAT system
- Computer-aided transcription software that translates stenographic strokes into text using a dictionary and real-time translation.
- Global define
- A CAT software function that allows a reporter to add or modify dictionary entries for consistent translation across all future transcripts.
- Main idea
- The central point or argument of a text, supported by details and evidence, essential for reading comprehension.
- Inference
- A logical conclusion drawn from evidence in the text rather than from personal assumptions or outside knowledge.
- Proofreading steps
- A systematic review process: first check content, then grammar, then punctuation, then spelling, ensuring consistency throughout.
- Context clues
- Hints in surrounding text that help determine the meaning of an unfamiliar word or phrase, aiding comprehension.