NY Court Reporter key terms

A system of writing spoken words on a stenotype keyboard, pressing several keys at once so each stroke records a syllable or phrase rather than a single letter.

A compact keyboard with about 22 keys arranged in a syllable layout, used by court reporters to record speech phonetically in real time.

One simultaneous press of one or more stenotype keys, producing a single written unit that may represent a sound, syllable, word, or phrase.

A situation in which one stroke could be read as more than one word or phrase, requiring the reporter to choose the correct meaning from context.

A shortened stenotype outline assigned to a frequently used word or phrase so the reporter can write it with fewer keys and faster speed.

Writing and translating stenotype input instantly so the spoken record appears as text on screens during the proceeding, often for a judge or attorney.

The process in which a stenotype machine sends strokes to software that translates them into English text for editing and final transcript production.

Editing a computer-translated draft against the reporter's notes to fix untranslated strokes, wrong word choices, punctuation, and formatting before the transcript is certified.

Carefully reading the finished transcript to catch errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, names, numbers, and quoted testimony before it is released.

A document listing corrections to a transcript, often signed by the witness and attorneys, that is filed with the original record.

The reporter's signed statement at the end of a transcript affirming that the record is a true and accurate account of the proceeding.

The written, formatted record of a proceeding or deposition prepared from the reporter's stenotype notes and certified as accurate.

Sworn out-of-court testimony taken by attorneys before trial, recorded by a court reporter and usable later for discovery, impeachment, or trial.

A formal promise to tell the truth, administered to a witness before testimony so that false statements may be punished as perjury.

A solemn declaration to tell the truth made instead of an oath by a person who objects to swearing on religious grounds.

The questioning of prospective jurors to determine their qualifications and fairness, or a hearing outside the jury's presence on the admissibility of evidence.

A request to remove a prospective juror because of bias, prejudice, or another stated legal reason, with no limit on the number of such challenges.

A limited request to remove a prospective juror without giving a reason, though it may not be used to exclude jurors because of race or sex.

A private discussion between the judge and attorneys at the bench, usually held off the record so the jury cannot hear it.

Spoken in open court while the reporter is writing, making the statement part of the official transcript and subject to review on appeal.

A statement or discussion the judge directs not to be recorded, so it is excluded from the transcript and cannot be reviewed on appeal.

An agreement between opposing parties on a fact or procedure, accepted by the court and read into the record by the reporter.

The judge's ruling that an attorney's objection is valid, so the witness need not answer the question that was asked.

The judge's ruling that an objection is not valid, allowing the witness to answer the question as put by the attorney.

A formal protest by an attorney that a question or answer is improper under the rules of evidence, which the judge then rules on.

An out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of what it says, generally inadmissible unless an exception applies.

The judge's direct address to a convicted defendant, asking whether the defendant wishes to speak before sentence is imposed.

The court proceeding in which the judge imposes punishment on a convicted defendant after considering the law and the circumstances.

A court order requiring a person to appear to testify or to produce documents, whose return date and issuing court are often read into the record.

A subpoena that orders a person to bring specified documents or other tangible evidence to a hearing or deposition.

The party who appeals a lower court's decision and who bears the burden of showing that reversible error occurred.

The party against whom an appeal is taken, who argues that the lower court's judgment should be affirmed.

A court reporter appointed or sworn to record proceedings for a particular court, whose certified transcripts are the official record.

The duty not to disclose information learned while reporting, such as sealed testimony, grand jury matters, or discussions in a judge's chambers.

A transcript or document the court has ordered kept from public view, which the reporter may release only as the order permits.

A communication or hearing involving only one side, often held without notice to the opposing party and sometimes recorded under restricted access.

An appellate decision issued in the name of the court as a whole rather than signed by an individual judge.

A Latin phrase meaning 'now for then,' used when a court order is entered retroactively to correct the record as of an earlier date.

A Latin phrase meaning 'of its own kind,' describing something unique that is treated under its own rules rather than a general category.