CER Certified Electronic Reporter key terms

Hardware and software that capture spoken proceedings as digital audio files, often across several channels, so the record can be stored, reviewed, and transcribed later.

Capturing the same proceeding simultaneously on two independent devices or storage media, so that a failure of one does not destroy the only record.

A battery-backed device that keeps recording equipment running through brief power outages, preventing lost audio and corrupted files.

Setting every recorder, clock, and log in a proceeding to one trusted time source, so events can be matched across recordings accurately.

A short digital fingerprint calculated from a file. Any later change to the file produces a different value, which helps prove the recording was not altered.

The documented, unbroken history of who handled a recording or file and when, from capture through storage to final production.

Contemporaneous notes, or in-software markers, that record the time, speaker, and substance of events during a proceeding for later reference.

Descriptive information stored with a recording, such as its date, start time, duration, device, and operator, used to identify and authenticate the file.

Sworn out-of-court testimony of a witness, recorded by a reporter and used to gather evidence, impeach testimony, or preserve testimony for trial.

Questioning of prospective jurors to test their suitability, or questioning of a witness about qualifications before expert testimony is allowed.

A formal swearing-in, or a non-religious promise, that binds a witness or interpreter to tell the truth before giving testimony.

A party's formal challenge to a question, answer, or piece of evidence, which the judge then sustains or overrules.

A private conference between the judge and attorneys at the bench, usually held out of the hearing of the jury and often off the record.

A review or hearing conducted privately by the judge, typically in chambers or with the public and jury excluded.

A voluntary agreement between opposing parties about a fact, document, or procedure that the court accepts, removing the need to prove it.

The first round of questioning of a witness by the party who called that witness, usually aimed at establishing the witness's account.

Questioning of a witness by the opposing party, typically to test accuracy, challenge credibility, or bring out facts not covered on direct.

The duty to keep information learned during proceedings private and to disclose it only when authorized by law, the court, or the parties.

Neutrality in carrying out reporting duties, giving no favor, bias, or preference to any party, witness, or attorney.

A personal, financial, or professional interest that could reasonably compromise a reporter's objectivity or create the appearance of impropriety.

Contact with the judge by one party or attorney without notice to the other side, generally prohibited because it undermines fair proceedings.

A legal protection that keeps confidential communications between a lawyer and client from being disclosed, even if a reporter overhears them.

A court order that limits how sensitive information may be used, handled, or disclosed, often covering transcripts of sealed testimony.

A court file, transcript, or portion of a proceeding closed to public access by judicial order, revealed only as the order allows.

The range of duties a certified reporter is trained and authorized to perform, such as recording, transcribing, and certifying proceedings.

A formal set of professional standards governing a reporter's conduct, including accuracy, confidentiality, impartiality, and integrity in dealings with the court.

A word-for-word written record of what was said in a proceeding, preserving the speaker's exact words as required by the rules of that court.

A transcript layout in which each question and each answer appears as a separate numbered paragraph, making testimony easy to locate by page and line.

Discussion among judge, attorneys, or other participants that is not in question-and-answer form, such as arguments, objections, and bench conferences.

A bracketed or parenthesized note in a transcript describing a non-verbal event, such as a pause, laughter, or the marking of an exhibit.

A reference format that identifies an exact spot in a transcript by page number and line number, used in motions, briefs, and appellate argument.

A form on which a deponent lists corrections to their transcript after review, which the reporter attaches to the certified original.

The reporter's signed statement at the end of a transcript attesting that it is a true, complete, and accurate record of the proceeding.

Removing or masking confidential information, such as names, dates, or identifiers, from a transcript before it is released to the public.

A live text stream of the proceedings sent to attorneys or the judge as witnesses speak, often displayed on monitors or laptops in the courtroom.

Assigning an identifying number or letter to a document or object offered into evidence, with the marking noted in the transcript.