MS Court Reporter flashcards

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

Certified transcript

A transcript signed and dated by the reporter attesting that it is a true and correct record of the proceeding, which makes it the official record for appeal.

25-line transcript page

Standard Mississippi transcript page format: 25 numbered lines, each holding no more than 10 words per inch, with a title page and index at the start of each volume.

Exhibit index

A separate list in the transcript giving each exhibit's number, a description, and the pages where it was marked for identification and admitted into evidence.

Inaudible designation

The parenthetical used when speech cannot be understood; the reporter marks it rather than guessing at words, preserving the record's integrity.

Spelling on the record

A reporter asks a speaker to spell an unfamiliar proper name and transcribes both the request and the spelling so the record verifies itself.

Q. and A. format

Transcript convention placing Q. before questions and A. before answers, with colloquy reported as spoken and nonverbal events shown in parentheses.

Bench conference reporting

Conferences held at the bench are reported when conducted on the record; the reporter may not omit on-record matter absent a directive from the judge.

Rough draft versus certified

Uncertified real-time or rough-draft output is a working product only; the certified transcript, or one ordered as daily copy, holds official record status.

Mississippi Supreme Court

The state's court of last resort, composed of seven elected justices serving eight-year terms from three districts, with the Chief Justice designated by seniority.

Mississippi Court of Appeals

Intermediate appellate court created in 1994, with ten elected judges from five districts sitting in three-judge panels on cases assigned by the Supreme Court.

Circuit court jurisdiction

Courts of general trial jurisdiction hearing felonies and civil actions at law, organized by circuit court district with elected judges, and reviewing appeals from lower courts.

Chancery court jurisdiction

Equity jurisdiction covering divorce, custody, estates, guardianships, injunctions, and land title disputes, presided over by elected chancellors by chancery district.

Justice court scope

Limited-jurisdiction courts handling small claims and misdemeanors, with appeals taken to the circuit or county court depending on the county's court structure.

Rulemaking authority

The Supreme Court's power to promulgate rules of practice and procedure for all Mississippi courts, making the civil, criminal, and appellate rules court rules.

Nonpartisan judicial elections

Mississippi judges are elected without party labels; when a vacancy occurs, the Governor appoints and the appointee stands for election at the next general election.

Municipal and youth courts

Municipal courts hear ordinance violations and misdemeanors within city limits; youth courts hear delinquency and abuse-neglect matters, with appeals to circuit or county court.

County court jurisdiction

Statutorily created courts in designated counties sharing jurisdiction with justice courts and, for some matters, circuit and chancery courts.

MRCP 30 deposition rule

The civil rule governing depositions on oral examination, including recording, transcription, and the officer's certificate of the deposition transcript.

Disinterested officer requirement

A deposition officer may not be a relative, employee, or attorney of a party, nor have a financial interest in the outcome beyond the reporting fee.

Instruction not to answer

At deposition, counsel may direct a witness not to answer only to preserve privilege, enforce a court-imposed limitation, or present a motion to terminate or limit.

Administering the oath

Reporters may swear or affirm witnesses and deponents; the oath appears on the record, and a refusal to be sworn is itself transcribed.

Rule 45 subpoena

Process compelling testimony or document production; a subpoenaed deponent may obtain a copy of the transcript on payment of reasonable charges.

Rule 27 perpetuation

A deposition taken to preserve testimony before suit is filed when a witness may be unavailable; the reporter's duties match an ordinary deposition.

Protective and sealing orders

Court orders restricting access to testimony; the reporter follows the order and marks the transcript accordingly rather than deciding confidentiality independently.

Transcript extension requests

When the record cannot be completed on time, the reporter documents the delay and an extension is sought as the trial or appellate rules allow.

Board of Certified Court Reporters

The Mississippi body that certifies court reporters, administers the certification examination, sets renewal and continuing education requirements, and imposes discipline.

Grounds for discipline

Incompetence, unprofessional conduct, fraud in obtaining certification, breach of confidentiality, and failure to produce or certify a transcript as ordered.

Disciplinary sanctions

Penalties the board may impose, ranging from reprimand and probation to suspension or revocation of certification, with costs assessed after notice and hearing.

Grand jury secrecy

Grand jury proceedings are confidential; a reporter releases or discusses such transcripts only as authorized by law or by court order.

Ex parte communication bar

Reporters may not discuss the merits of a pending proceeding with the judge outside the presence of the parties, nor give legal advice to participants.

Continuing education records

Certificate holders must document continuing education attendance and retain proof, because the burden of demonstrating compliance with board requirements rests on the reporter.