CA Court Reporter key terms

A compact keyboard machine that court reporters use to record spoken testimony by pressing multiple keys at once, producing coded syllables rather than ordinary spelled-out words.

The phonetic shorthand system written on a reporter's machine, in which each keystroke combination represents a sound or syllable instead of a single letter.

A simultaneous multi-key press on a shorthand machine that produces one syllable or word, requiring the reporter to strike all keys together within a single stroke.

One complete downward press of the keys on a shorthand machine, which may record a single letter, a syllable, a whole word, or even a short phrase.

A shortened shorthand outline assigned to a frequently occurring word or phrase so the reporter can write it in fewer strokes and with less hand movement.

The shorthand practice of joining several words into a single stroke or short sequence of strokes, such as common courtroom formulas, to increase writing speed.

The process by which a reporter's machine output is converted instantly by computer software into readable English text displayed on monitors during a proceeding.

Computer-aided transcription software that stores a reporter's shorthand dictionary, converts machine notes into text, and formats the resulting transcript for editing and delivery.

A shorthand outline that the software cannot match to any dictionary entry, so it appears in the text as raw machine code until the reporter defines or corrects it.

An incorrect key combination produced by striking the wrong keys, which yields an outline that does not translate into the intended word and must be corrected.

An assistant who edits a reporter's rough computer-translated notes for untranslates, punctuation, and spelling so the reporter can focus on producing the official record.

The exchange of spoken remarks among the judge, attorneys, witnesses, and others during a proceeding, all of which the reporter is generally expected to record.

A private discussion between the judge and attorneys held away from the jury and often outside the hearing of the reporter, whose inclusion in the record depends on the judge's direction.

A judge's instruction that statements made at that moment are not to be included in the official transcript, typically noted in the transcript as a parenthetical.

The status of proceedings that are being officially recorded and will appear in the transcript, as opposed to informal discussion excluded at the judge's direction.

A proceeding or review conducted in the judge's private chambers or otherwise closed to the public, often to protect confidential information or to screen evidence.

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

Sworn out-of-court testimony taken before trial, usually in response to attorney questions, and recorded by a court reporter for later use in the case.

A document, object, or other item formally identified and offered into evidence during a proceeding, marked with a number or letter for reference in the record.

A formal address to the court, especially the opportunity given to a convicted defendant to speak personally before sentence is imposed.

Describing a party who appears in a case without a lawyer and represents himself or herself, a situation that may call for careful handling of names and titles in the transcript.

The statement at the start of a transcript identifying the case, the court, the judge, the parties, and the attorneys present, often given orally by counsel for the record.

The heading of a transcript or legal pleading that lists the court, the parties, the case number, and the title of the document.

A front or back section of a transcript listing the witnesses, exhibits, and page numbers where each appears, allowing readers to locate material quickly.

The reporter's signed statement at the end of a transcript affirming that the foregoing pages accurately record the proceedings, together with required details such as the date and method of recording.

The written, verbatim record of a proceeding prepared by a court reporter from shorthand notes or an audio recording, formatted according to applicable rules.

Reproduced word for word exactly as spoken, including errors, repetitions, and incomplete sentences, rather than cleaned up or summarized.

The official, preserved account of what occurred in a proceeding, which appellate courts review and which the reporter is professionally obligated to produce accurately.

A word or phrase enclosed in parentheses or brackets, used in transcripts to describe unspoken events such as a pause, a gesture, or a recess.

Text placed in square brackets by the reporter to supply a word or clarification not actually spoken, such as identifying a speaker or noting an inaudible passage.

A notation, often bracketed, indicating that spoken words could not be heard clearly enough to transcribe, rather than guessing at the content.

The careful review of a transcript for spelling, punctuation, formatting, and transcription errors before it is certified and delivered to the parties.

One of two or more words that sound alike but differ in spelling or meaning, such as 'cite,' 'site,' and 'sight,' a common source of transcription error.

A word that shares either sound or spelling with another word but has a different meaning, a category that includes homophones and words spelled alike.

The conventional and precise way words are employed in formal writing, including distinctions such as 'affect' versus 'effect' or 'ensure' versus 'insure.'

A published or adopted set of rules governing capitalization, punctuation, abbreviation, and citation that a reporter applies consistently throughout a transcript.

A court order compelling a person to appear at a proceeding or to produce documents, a term frequently heard and transcribed in courtrooms.

A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath or affirmation of the person making it, often prepared for filing in a legal proceeding.

The medical term for a heart attack, occurring when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked, a phrase reporters must spell and transcribe correctly in testimony.

The specialized vocabulary of anatomy, disease, treatment, and pharmacology that appears in personal injury, malpractice, and workers' compensation testimony and must be transcribed accurately.