MO Court Reporter key terms

The exchange of spoken remarks between judge and attorneys, or between attorneys, held on the record; often transcribed verbatim as dialogue with speaker labels.

A private bench conference among the judge and attorneys, usually held outside the jury's hearing. Reporters record it when instructed, mark it as a sidebar, and note whether it was reported.

A proceeding conducted in the judge's private chambers or closed courtroom, outside public and jury presence. Such matters may be sealed or excluded from the public transcript.

Spoken or written statements captured by the official reporter and preserved as part of the case record. Statements made off the record are not transcribed unless later restated.

Discussion the judge directs not to be reported or transcribed. The reporter typically notes the time and the fact that proceedings went off the record, then resumes on-the-record notation.

Jury selection questioning of prospective jurors, or the preliminary examination of a witness's competence or an expert's qualifications. Reporters must spell the phrase correctly in transcripts.

A party's removal of a prospective juror without stating a reason, limited in number by rule. Unlike a challenge for cause, it requires no showing of bias.

A request to remove a prospective juror for demonstrated bias, inability, or other disqualification. The judge rules on it after questioning, and the exchange is transcribed.

The judge's formal instructions to the jury on the law governing the case, delivered before deliberations. Reporters must capture exact wording, numbering, and any statutory citations read aloud.

The jury's formal decision on the issues submitted, announced in open court and recorded verbatim, including any poll of the jury and the judge's acceptance of the result.

The jury's private discussion and voting after receiving the charge. Proceedings in the jury room are not reported; any note or question sent to the judge is handled on the record.

The defendant's statement to the court before sentencing, often given personally. It is transcribed verbatim, including any waiver of the right to speak.

The judge's on-record questioning of a defendant to confirm a guilty plea is knowing and voluntary. Reporters must capture each question and answer precisely.

A hearing at which the defendant is informed of the charges and enters a plea. The proceeding includes reading of charges and advisement of rights, all transcribed.

Sworn out-of-court testimony taken before trial, usually transcribed by a reporter. It includes examination, cross-examination, objections, and any stipulations read into the record.

Questioning of a witness by the party who called the witness. Questions are typically open-ended, and the reporter records questions, answers, and objections in sequence.

Questioning of a witness by an opposing party, often leading and focused on credibility or detail. The reporter must accurately capture rapid exchanges, objections, and rulings.

Questioning of a witness by the calling party after cross-examination, limited to matters raised on cross. Transcripts mark its beginning and end clearly.

A question phrased to suggest its own answer, generally permitted on cross-examination but restricted on direct. Reporters transcribe the wording exactly, including objections to form.

A party's formal statement challenging a question, answer, or exhibit, followed by argument and a court ruling. The reporter must capture the objection, grounds, and ruling verbatim.

The judge's ruling agreeing with an objection, so the question or evidence is disallowed. The transcript records the ruling and any ensuing colloquy.

The judge's ruling rejecting an objection, allowing the question or evidence to proceed. Reporters must not paraphrase the ruling or the witness's subsequent answer.

An agreement by parties on a fact or procedure, stated on the record and transcribed. Reporters capture it verbatim and mark it clearly so it is enforceable on appeal.

The official written record of reported proceedings, prepared from the reporter's notes and certified as accurate. It includes captions, appearances, page and line numbers, and the reporter's certificate.

The heading of a transcript or pleading showing the court, parties, case number, and document title. Reporters must reproduce it exactly as filed.

A transcript page listing the judge, attorneys, parties, and others present, with their roles. It precedes the body of the transcript and identifies who spoke.

The reporter's signed statement that a transcript is a true and accurate record of the proceedings. It carries legal weight and must not be given without personal verification.

A chorded keyboard machine used by court reporters to record speech phonetically in real time. Its notes are later translated into text by computer-aided transcription.

Computer-aided transcription: software that converts stenotype keystrokes into readable English using a reporter's personal dictionary. Accuracy depends on consistent dictionary maintenance.

Instantaneous conversion of spoken proceedings into text displayed on screens during the hearing. It requires a clean, well-maintained dictionary and high accuracy.

In court reporting, material read aloud from documents, statutes, or prepared text rather than spontaneous speech. Literary dictation tests accurate capture of punctuation, capitalization, and citation.

A word that sounds the same as another but differs in spelling or meaning, such as 'their' and 'there'. Reporters must choose the correct form from context.

A word identical in sound or spelling to another but different in meaning, such as 'bear' (animal) and 'bear' (carry). Context determines the correct rendering.

A pair easily mistaken in transcription, such as 'affect' and 'effect' or 'principal' and 'principle'. Reporters verify usage rather than relying on sound alone.

Marks that clarify sentence structure and meaning in a transcript. Reporters apply standard rules consistently, including quotation marks for read testimony and dashes for interrupted speech.

Word-for-word reproduction of spoken proceedings, including repetitions, false starts, and filler when required by the transcript format. It excludes summarizing or editing substance.

A document or object marked for identification and offered as evidence. Reporters record the exhibit number, sponsoring witness, and any ruling on admissibility.

A court order restricting public access to specified portions of the record. Reporters must follow it when preparing transcripts and note sealed material appropriately.

A public officer authorized to administer oaths and acknowledge signatures. Deposition reporters often serve as notaries, swearing witnesses and certifying the transcript.

A situation in which a reporter's personal or financial interest could compromise impartiality, such as reporting for both sides of a dispute. It must be disclosed and avoided.