MS Court Reporter key terms

The official verbatim written record of a court proceeding, prepared by a certified court reporter from stenographic notes or an electronic recording and certified as accurate before filing.

The reporter's signed statement at the end of a transcript attesting that the document is a true, complete, and accurate record of the proceedings, including the reporter's name, certificate number, and date.

The instantaneous translation of stenographic keystrokes into readable text displayed on monitors or transmitted to counsel during a proceeding, often used for accessibility or immediate rough draft access.

A chorded keyboard device used by court reporters that records syllables as simultaneous key presses, producing a coded paper or digital record later translated into English text.

Computer-aided transcription software that translates stenographic keystrokes into text, manages dictionaries, and formats transcripts with page, line, and exhibit markings.

A document, object, or recording marked for identification and offered or admitted into evidence, identified in the transcript by number or letter and described on the record.

The formal act of assigning a number or letter to a document or object on the record so it can be referred to and ruled upon later, even if not yet admitted.

The questioning of prospective jurors to determine qualifications, bias, or hardship before selection; in Mississippi, the reporter records both the questions and any bench conferences and challenges.

An off-the-record or on-the-record discussion between the judge and attorneys at the judge's bench, outside the jury's hearing, which the reporter must capture when directed.

A conversation held at the side of the courtroom between the judge and counsel, typically outside jury hearing; the reporter records it if the judge orders it made part of the record.

A status requested by a party or ordered by the judge in which spoken words are not captured for the official transcript; the reporter should note the on/off-record transition in the transcript.

The status in which proceedings are being captured for the official transcript; the reporter notes when recording resumes after an off-record period.

The reporter's oral repetition of previously recorded testimony or colloquy at a judge's or attorney's request, typically for a jury or to resolve a dispute about what was said.

Sworn out-of-court testimony taken before a certified court reporter, preserved in question-and-answer form and usable at trial or for discovery under Mississippi rules.

The certified written record of a deposition, including the oath, appearances, all questions and answers, exhibits, and any objections or stipulations stated on the record.

A sworn promise to tell the truth administered to a witness, juror, interpreter, or officer before testimony or service, which the reporter documents in the record.

Mississippi's court of general jurisdiction for civil and criminal cases, organized by judicial district and hearing felony, civil, and appeal-from-lower-court matters.

Mississippi court with jurisdiction over equity matters such as divorce, child custody, estates, guardianships, and land disputes, organized by chancery district.

A Mississippi court of limited jurisdiction handling misdemeanors, civil cases below a statutory amount, and preliminary matters, with jurisdiction defined by statute.

Mississippi's local court of limited jurisdiction presided over by a justice court judge, handling small claims, misdemeanors, and preliminary hearings, with appeal to county or circuit court.

The state's highest court, sitting in Jackson, with appellate jurisdiction over lower courts, administrative authority over the judiciary, and rulemaking power for court practice and procedure.

An intermediate appellate court created to hear assigned appeals from circuit, chancery, and county courts, with further review available in the Supreme Court.

The sets of procedural rules adopted by the Mississippi Supreme Court governing civil, criminal, appellate, and evidence practice, cited as MRCP, MRCrP, MRAP, and MRE.

The rules governing civil litigation in Mississippi courts, covering pleadings, discovery, depositions, motions, and trial practice, cited as MRCP.

The rules governing admissibility, relevance, hearsay, authentication, and examination of witnesses in Mississippi courts, cited as MRE.

The rules governing appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, including transcript preparation, designation of record, and deadlines, cited as MRAP.

The assembled documents and transcript transmitted to an appellate court for review, designated by the parties and prepared under the appellate rules.

A court order limiting disclosure or use of discovery materials, often invoked in depositions to shield confidential information from public filing.

Portions of a court file or transcript closed to public access by court order, which the reporter must handle and label according to the order.

The Mississippi body that certifies court reporters, sets qualification and continuing education requirements, and administers discipline for violations of its rules.

A reporter who has met the Board's requirements for certification in Mississippi and may report proceedings and certify transcripts as required by law.

Required periodic coursework or training that certified reporters complete to maintain certification and stay current on law, technology, and ethics.

The ethical duty not to disclose information learned during reporting, including grand jury matters, sealed proceedings, and private discussions, except as authorized by law or court order.

A situation in which a reporter's personal, financial, or professional interests could compromise impartiality, such as reporting for a relative or a party with whom the reporter has a relationship.

The ethical obligation to record proceedings accurately and without favor to any party, avoiding advocacy, editing, or selective omission in the transcript.

The standards adopted by the Board governing reporter integrity, competence, confidentiality, and accurate transcript production, enforceable through disciplinary action.

The requirement to preserve stenographic notes, recordings, and transcript files for a defined period so a transcript can be produced or verified later.