HI Court Reporter flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

225 words per minute

The NCRA-certified writing speed on literary material, paired with 200 wpm on jury charge and 180 wpm on testimony, each requiring at least 95 percent accuracy.

Machine shorthand phonetics

Steno strokes encode sounds rather than spelling, so the reporter writes what is heard and resolves homophones and spelling variants later during transcription and proofreading.

Asterisk key function

On the steno keyboard the asterisk marks capitalization and also serves as the distinguishing key used to break conflicts between otherwise identical strokes.

Number bar

The upper row of the steno keyboard that converts letter keys into digits, allowing numbers to be written in the same stroke pattern as words.

Reporter's certificate

A signed statement in the transcript affirming that it is a true and accurate record of the proceeding, including any noted omissions or refused transcription requests.

Colloquy formatting

Each new speaker starts a new paragraph with an uppercase designator such as THE COURT or MR. KIM, and questions and answers appear on separate lines.

Proofreading priority order

Verify speaker attribution and page-line numbering first, then names, numbers, and quoted testimony, then punctuation and formatting, because the first errors are substantive.

Conflict-free theory

A shorthand system in which no two distinct words or phrases share a stroke, so each conflict is resolved by adding a distinguishing key rather than relying on context.

Reporter neutrality

The reporter records spoken words without ruling on objections, interpreting silence, or summarizing, functioning as a neutral officer of the court rather than an advocate.

Deposition oath sequence

The reporter swears or affirms the witness, places appearances and exhibits on the record, then records examination, objections, and any stipulations verbatim.

Off-the-record notation

A parenthetical noting that discussion occurred off the record; those words are excluded from the official record unless the parties stipulate to reopen it.

Reading and signing

If the witness reserves signature, the reporter submits the transcript, the witness signs within the statutory period, and the reporter certifies the outcome.

Sealed transcript handling

The reporter records in camera proceedings but marks the transcript sealed and releases it only on court order, preserving confidentiality of the record.

Exhibit index

A list maintained by the reporter showing each exhibit's mark, the sponsoring witness, and any objection, used to track the record during and after the proceeding.

Speaker designators

Consistent labels assigned to each speaker based on announced appearances; the reporter does not change a designator mid-transcript once assigned.

Sidebar reporting

A sidebar conference is reported only when the judge directs it; otherwise the reporter notes the sidebar without recording its content in the transcript.

Objection at deposition

Objections are recorded verbatim; instructions not to answer are preserved in the record for later ruling by the court rather than resolved by the reporter.

HRS chapter 606

The Hawaii Revised Statutes chapter establishing the licensing framework and regulatory authority over court reporters practicing in the State of Hawaii.

Hawaii transcript format rules

Hawaii court rules prescribe page size, line numbering, margins, and the reporter's certificate; a transcript omitting the certificate is defective.

Statutory fee schedules

Per-page and per-copy fees for Hawaii transcripts are prescribed by statute and rule, so charging above the prescribed rate is a regulatory violation.

Hawaii court structure

The unified system includes the Supreme Court, Intermediate Court of Appeals, Circuit Courts, District Courts, and Family Courts, and transcript format must match the originating court.

License renewal requirement

Continuing education and timely renewal are conditions of practice; failure to renew suspends the right to report official proceedings and to certify transcripts.

Court-ordered deadlines

Transcript delivery deadlines are fixed by statute and court rule rather than reporter discretion, and missing a court-ordered deadline may expose the reporter to sanctions.

Reporter licensing examination

Hawaii's licensing exam tests writing speed, transcription accuracy, and knowledge of Hawaii court rules, covering both machine shorthand and voice writing.

Confidentiality under court rules

Hawaii court rules and attorney professional conduct rules limit when a reporter may disclose or testify about the record of a proceeding.

Gratuity prohibition

A reporter may not accept gifts, favors, or gratuities from a party, attorney, or witness in a covered case because it creates an appearance of partiality.

Conflict screening

A reporter declines an assignment when a close relative or business associate is counsel or a party, and discloses the relationship to all counsel before proceeding.

Rough draft confidentiality

Rough drafts, audio backups, and real-time feeds are confidential work product and may not be shared, published, or sold without authorization.

Note retention period

Stenographic notes and audio must be retained for the period required by court rule; early destruction can foreclose reconstruction of the record on appeal.

Ordering party pays

Fee agreements are made with the party ordering the transcript, not the witness, and delivery may not be conditioned on payment by a non-ordering party where rules forbid it.

Truthful advertising

Advertising must not imply official certification, court endorsement, or a specialty the reporter does not hold; unearned certification claims are ethics violations.

Errata preservation

On discovering an error, the reporter issues a corrected page or errata rather than silently altering the original, and both versions are preserved.