LA Court Reporter cheat sheet

A verbatim record must capture all spoken words, including sidebars, bench conferences, and objections, unless the judge orders otherwise on the record.

The reporter swears or affirms the witness before testimony; the oath or affirmation must be administered on the record and noted in the transcript.

Objections must be recorded with the grounds stated; if the court rules, the ruling and any exception are taken down verbatim.

When a witness is speaking simultaneously with counsel or the court, the reporter may interrupt and ask for clarification; the interruption and response are part of the record.

Exhibits are marked for identification by the court reporter or clerk, and the reporter notes the exhibit number, description, and whether it was admitted or refused.

A reporter may be ordered to read back testimony; the read-back is not itself new evidence and should be identified as a read-back in the transcript.

In jury trials, the reporter records the jury charge conference, objections to the charge, and the verdict as returned, including polling of the jury if requested.

If a witness testifies in a language other than English through an interpreter, the reporter takes down the interpreter's English rendition and identifies the interpreter on the record.

A reporter must not summarize or paraphrase testimony; if a word is inaudible, the reporter uses a placeholder such as '(inaudible)' and may seek clarification at the time.

Louisiana has a three-tier court system: district courts (trial), courts of appeal (five circuits), and the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Louisiana is divided into 42 judicial districts; some districts comprise multiple parishes, and the number of judges varies by district.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has supervisory jurisdiction over all lower courts and may issue writs; it also has original jurisdiction in certain matters such as disciplinary proceedings against attorneys.

Courts of appeal sit in panels of three judges; a party may request a rehearing en banc before all judges of the circuit.

The Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure and the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure govern procedure in state courts; the Louisiana Rules of Court include the Rules of the Supreme Court and the Uniform Rules of the Courts of Appeal.

Venue in civil cases is generally the parish where the defendant is domiciled or where the cause of action arose, subject to exceptions in the Code of Civil Procedure.

Appeals in civil cases generally must be taken within 60 days of the judgment or order, unless a different period is provided by law; criminal appeals have different deadlines under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

The Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct govern attorney conduct and are enforced by the Louisiana Attorney Disciplinary Board and the Supreme Court.

Court reporters in Louisiana are subject to the rules of the court in which they serve, including local rules on transcript format and filing deadlines.

A transcript must include a title page identifying the court, parish, case number, parties, date, and the reporter's name and certification.

The reporter certifies that the transcript is a true and correct transcription of the proceedings; the certification is signed and dated.

Transcript format generally follows the Louisiana Supreme Court's rules or local court rules, including page size, line numbering, and font; reporters should verify the specific court's requirements.

Testimony is transcribed verbatim, including false starts, repetitions, and grammatical errors, unless the court orders otherwise; the reporter may use standard conventions such as 'Q.' and 'A.' for question and answer.

Exhibits are listed in an index in the transcript, with exhibit numbers and descriptions; admitted exhibits may be included in the record separately.

The reporter must retain stenographic notes and electronic recordings for the period required by law or court rule; in Louisiana, the retention period should be confirmed with the court and applicable statutes.

When a transcript is ordered, the reporter must provide an estimate of the cost and may require a deposit before beginning work, subject to statutory fee schedules.

Corrections to a transcript after certification may be made only by court order or by stipulation of the parties, and the correction must be noted on the record.

Electronic recording may be used as a backup, but the reporter remains responsible for the accuracy of the transcript; the recording is not a substitute for the reporter's notes unless authorized by the court.

Louisiana court reporters are licensed by the Louisiana Board of Examiners of Court Reporters; licensure requires passing an examination and meeting education or experience requirements.

The Louisiana Court Reporters Association (LCRA) is a professional association; certification may be obtained through national bodies such as the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), but Louisiana licensure is separate.

A reporter must maintain confidentiality of proceedings and may not disclose transcript content except as authorized by law or court order.

A reporter must avoid conflicts of interest; a reporter should not report a proceeding in which the reporter has a personal or financial interest.

A reporter may not provide legal advice or alter the record to favor a party; the reporter's duty is to the accuracy of the record.

Continuing education is required for license renewal in Louisiana; the specific hours and categories are set by the Board of Examiners.

A reporter who is unable to perform due to illness or other incapacity must arrange for a substitute reporter acceptable to the court and notify the parties.

A reporter may be called as a witness to authenticate the transcript or testify about the proceedings; the reporter's notes may be subpoenaed.

Fee disputes are generally handled through the court or civil remedies; a reporter may not withhold a transcript that has been ordered and paid for, but may seek relief from the court if payment is not made.