IL Court Reporter key terms

The practice of converting shorthand keystrokes or voice input into readable text on a screen as testimony is spoken, allowing the judge and attorneys to read the feed instantly during proceedings.

A compact keyboard with a limited number of keys that the reporter presses in chords to record spoken words phonetically, producing a paper or digital steno record of the proceeding.

A single simultaneous press of two or more keys on a steno machine that represents a syllable, word, phrase, or punctuation mark in the reporter's written record.

One complete key press or chord on a shorthand machine, which may encode a sound, a whole word, or a brief form depending on how the reporter's dictionary is built.

A shortened shorthand outline assigned to a frequently used word or phrase so the reporter can write it with fewer strokes, increasing speed without sacrificing accuracy.

The software file that maps the reporter's shorthand strokes or voice commands to English words, phrases, and punctuation, determining how the raw steno or audio is converted into readable text.

A reporting method in which the reporter speaks testimony into a mask or headset connected to speech-recognition software, producing a verbatim record without using a shorthand keyboard.

Software that converts the reporter's spoken words into text, trained on the reporter's voice and vocabulary so that legal and medical terms are recognized correctly during dictation.

The reading aloud of prepared material such as letters, contracts, or judicial opinions at a controlled pace so the reporter can transcribe it accurately into a finished document.

The judge's instructions to the jury on the law that governs the case, which the reporter must record and transcribe verbatim because the charge is part of the official record on appeal.

Testimony recorded in the alternating format of examiner questions and witness answers, with each speaker identified by name and each answer beginning a new paragraph in the transcript.

Discussion among the judge and attorneys occurring on the record, often including objections, sidebar matters, and rulings, which the reporter must capture and attribute accurately.

A private conference at the bench between the judge and attorneys, outside the jury's hearing; if held on the record, the reporter transcribes it, and if off the record, it is excluded.

A direction by the judge that proceedings not be recorded or transcribed; the reporter notes the interruption in the transcript but omits the substance of the discussion.

The status of proceedings that are being officially recorded and will become part of the transcript, as opposed to informal or private discussions excluded from the record.

The certified written record of a proceeding, prepared from the reporter's notes or audio, formatted with a title page, page numbers, line numbers, and speaker designations.

The reporter's signed statement at the end of a transcript attesting that the document is a true and accurate record of the proceedings as recorded by the reporter.

The first page of a transcript identifying the court, case caption, parties, hearing type, date, location, and the reporter's name and license information.

The convention of labeling each speaker in a transcript by full name and role, such as THE COURT, MR. SMITH, or THE WITNESS, so the record is unambiguous.

A document, object, or recording offered and admitted into evidence, marked with an identifying number or letter that the reporter notes at the point of identification and admission.

Out-of-court sworn testimony taken before trial, usually in an attorney's office, recorded by a court reporter and used for discovery, impeachment, or preservation of testimony.

A person commissioned by the state to administer oaths and certify documents; in Illinois a certified shorthand reporter may also hold notary powers used to swear deponents and certify transcripts.

A formal swearing to tell the truth, administered to witnesses and deponents before testimony, which the reporter records along with the witness's response.

A solemn declaration made in place of an oath by a person who objects to swearing, carrying the same legal obligation to testify truthfully.

The examination of prospective jurors to determine their qualifications, bias, or familiarity with the case, conducted before the jury is impaneled and recorded by the reporter.

The opportunity for a defendant to address the court personally before sentencing, which the reporter records as part of the sentencing hearing record.

A formal challenge by an attorney to testimony or evidence, followed by the judge's ruling of sustained or overruled, all of which the reporter transcribes in sequence.

The state's highest court, which adopts rules governing court reporting practice, including certification requirements and transcript standards that reporters in Illinois must follow.

The general trial court of Illinois, organized by judicial circuit, where most trials, hearings, and pleas are held and where court reporters are assigned or employed.

A reporter who has met Illinois testing and qualification requirements and is authorized to record proceedings and certify transcripts under the rules of the Illinois Supreme Court.

The ethical duty to keep information learned during reporting, such as grand jury matters, sealed filings, and private party data, from disclosure except as authorized by law or court order.

Court files or transcript portions closed to public access by court order, which the reporter must handle and distribute only as the order permits.

The reporter's ethical obligations of impartiality, accuracy, confidentiality, and avoidance of conflicts of interest, including refraining from giving legal advice or altering the record.

The duty to record all proceedings accurately and without bias toward any party, witness, or attorney, treating every speaker's words with the same care.

A Latin phrase referring to statements or events forming part of the same transaction as the matter at issue, sometimes appearing in testimony and evidentiary argument.

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted, commonly objected to at trial and frequently appearing in testimony the reporter transcribes.

A court order requiring a person to appear and bring specified documents or records, a phrase reporters must recognize and spell correctly in transcripts.

An abnormal narrowing of a body passage or vessel, such as a spinal canal or heart valve, a medical term that may appear in personal injury or workers' compensation testimony.

The medical term for a heart attack, caused by blocked blood flow to heart muscle, frequently encountered in medical testimony and requiring correct spelling in the record.