MO Court Reporter flashcards

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

Verbatim transcription

The transcript reproduces exactly what was said, including false starts, repetitions, and grammatical errors. Reporters do not correct a speaker's grammar or substitute synonyms, because the certified record must reflect the actual spoken words.

Literary dictation paragraphing

Paragraph breaks follow the reader's dictated breaks, not the reporter's judgment. Each new paragraph is indented at the standard margin indent, and blank lines between paragraphs are used only if the transcript format guide requires them.

Poetry line carryover

When a dictated line of poetry exceeds the right margin, the remainder is carried to the next line with a hanging indent. The line is never reflowed as prose, because line breaks are part of the literary form being recorded.

Literary accuracy scoring

Literary speed tests are scored by dividing the number of correct words by the total dictated words. Each wrong, added, or omitted word counts as an error, so a single substitution lowers the percentage even if meaning is preserved.

Jury charge transcription

The judge's instructions to the jury are transcribed verbatim as delivered. Published pattern instructions are not substituted for the judge's actual words, and numbered instructions keep their numbers and paragraph structure in the transcript.

Charge timing parenthetical

When the judge instructs the jury, the reporter notes the time the charge began and ended, plus the fact of the instruction, as a parenthetical. This creates a time-stamped record of the proceeding for appellate review.

Objections during the charge

Objections and bench rulings made while the charge is read are recorded at the point they occur, not moved to an appendix. The transcript preserves the sequence of instruction, objection, and ruling exactly as it happened in court.

Jury polling transcription

When the jury is polled, each juror's response is transcribed verbatim with the juror identified as called. The reporter records the individual answers and the court's declaration of a unanimous verdict without summarizing.

Q and A designation

In question-and-answer format, each question begins with Q. and each answer with A., followed by a consistent space or tab. The designation marks speaker turns and lets readers locate testimony quickly.

THE COURT speaker designation

Statements by the judge are introduced with THE COURT: in capital letters, followed by the judge's words. Counsel are styled MR. or MS. with the surname in caps, and the format is applied consistently throughout the transcript.

Nonverbal testimony parenthetical

Actions and nonverbal responses are placed in parentheses, such as (Witness nods.) or (Indicating.). Parentheticals describe what happened on the record and are not spoken words, so they are never placed inside quotation marks.

Stricken testimony remains

Testimony that is later stricken or ordered disregarded still appears in the transcript. The reporter does not delete words spoken on the record; the ruling striking the testimony is noted, and the appellate court decides its effect.

Name spelling on record

When a name is uncertain, the reporter asks counsel to have the witness spell it on the record. The spelled version is preserved in the transcript, and the reporter does not guess at spelling from pronunciation alone.

Restrictive versus nonrestrictive clauses

A restrictive clause identifies which person or thing is meant and takes no commas. A nonrestrictive clause adds information and is set off by commas, as in 'the witness, who testified first, left the stand.'

Serial comma consistency

The serial comma before 'and' or 'or' in a list is used or omitted according to the transcript style guide. Whatever the choice, it must be applied uniformly, because inconsistent punctuation suggests careless transcription.

Em dash versus en dash

The em dash marks an abrupt break or interruption in speech. The en dash marks a range such as pages or dates. The hyphen joins words in a compound modifier, as in 'well-known witness.'

Numbers in transcript text

General text spells out one through nine and uses figures for 10 and above. Figures are used for all measurements, times, and money regardless of size, subject to the transcript's stated exception list.

Counsel versus council

Counsel refers to a lawyer or legal adviser. Council refers to a governing body. In legal transcripts, the attorney speaking is styled counsel, and the plural is also counsel, not counsels.

Reporter as neutral officer

The court reporter records the proceedings and does not advocate, summarize, or give legal advice. Neutrality means the transcript reflects all parties equally, including statements unfavorable to any side.

Transcript confidentiality

Grand jury proceedings, sealed hearings, and juvenile matters are confidential. The reporter does not disclose their contents except as authorized by court order or applicable rule, even to parties in the case.

Certification of transcript

The reporter's certification states that the transcript is a true and correct record of the proceeding. Certifying a transcript the reporter did not prepare or verify violates professional standards and undermines the record's reliability.

Errata after certification

If an error is found after certification, the reporter files an errata sheet or corrected pages through the court. The original certified transcript is retained rather than destroyed, preserving the chain of the official record.

Transcript fee regulation

Fees for transcripts and copies are set by statute, rule, or contract. Charging more than the authorized rate, or accepting payment that could influence the record, is an ethical violation in most jurisdictions.

Sustained versus overruled

Sustained means the objection is upheld and the question or answer is excluded. Overruled means the objection is denied and the testimony proceeds. The reporter records the ruling exactly as stated by the judge.

Voir dire examination

Voir dire is the questioning of prospective jurors to test their qualifications and impartiality. Challenges for cause remove jurors for bias, while peremptory challenges remove jurors without a stated reason.

Motion in limine

A motion in limine is a pretrial request to exclude or limit evidence before it is offered. The transcript records the motion, argument, and ruling, and notes when the court reserves decision.

Sidebar on the record

A sidebar is a conference at the bench outside the jury's hearing. If the reporter is not permitted to record it, the transcript notes that a sidebar occurred and whether it was reported, preserving the record's completeness.

Allocution

Allocution is the defendant's opportunity to speak before sentencing. The transcript records the defendant's statement verbatim, along with the court's response and the sentence imposed.

Hearsay objection

Hearsay is an out-of-court statement offered to prove its truth. The reporter records the objection and the court's ruling but does not decide admissibility or characterize the statement as hearsay in the transcript.

Transcript caption page

The caption or title page identifies the court, the parties, the case number, the proceeding, the date and location, and the reporter's name and certification number. It anchors the transcript to a specific case and record.

Twenty-five line page

The standard transcript page has 25 numbered lines, with line numbers in the left margin. Page and line numbers let appellate courts and parties cite exact locations in the record, such as page 12, line 7.

Exhibit index

Exhibits are identified by number or letter and listed in an index. The transcript notes when each exhibit was marked, offered, admitted, or refused, so the record shows the exhibit's status at trial.