The term voir dire is applied to the:
direct examination of a witness
visual inspection of an exhibit
testimony of an eyewitness to a crime
examination of a prospective juror
When reading back to a jury, the reporter should omit:
explanatory comments by the court
portions that have been stricken
false starts
stipulations
The simplest method of filing notes is:
alphabetically
by the presiding officer
by case number
chronologically
A case is said to be heard in camera when the hearing is:
held before the judge in his or her chambers
televised for public broadcast
held before the judge in open court, but in the absence of the jury
videotaped for later showing to the jury
Deposition exhibits marked by the freelance reporter should contain, in addition to the exhibit designation the:
witness's initials and the date of the deposition
case number and venue
name and initials of counsel deposing the witness
date and the reporter's initials
When a trial is adjourned, it means that the proceedings are:
removed to another location
postponed without prejudice
temporarily suspended
terminated
One of the pleadings in a typical criminal case is the:
affidavit
indictment
arrest warrant
search warrant
If a witness responds, "It was about this long, the reporter should:
insert the parenthetical (indicating)
ask counsel to clarify the record
insert a parenthetical approximating the lenght
ask the court to clarify the record
A state court of appeals is usually the first court to hear:
appeals from rulings by the Internal Revenue Service
cases where the defendant resides in a different state
appeals from decisions of state trial courts
cases relating to violations of constitutional rights
In a pleading, motion, deposition or other legal instrument, the heading that indicates the names of the parties the court and the file number is called the:
caption
notice
subpoena
index
A formal written statement by a grand jury charging a person with an offense is called a/an:
warrant
arraignment
complaint
The venue of a case is determined by the:
stipulation of counsel with court approval
neighborhood, place or county where the injury occurred
concurrence and convenience of litigants
place of residence of either of the parties to the litigation
An executed contract is one to which:
obligations are executory
conditions precedent have been performed
all parties have died
nothing remains to be done by either party
The word sinuous refers to:
surging or swelling out
lessening or diminishing
bending or curving in and out
developing or growing
The submission for determination of a disputed matter to a private unofficial person selected in a manner provided by law or agreement is known as:
adjudication
referral
mediation
arbitration
Amicus curiae means:
a friend of the court
a plea of guilty
that the court is curious
that the defendant is of unsound mind
A person is said to die intestate when he dies:
inside his state of residence
outside his state of residence
without a legal will
after having made a legal will
A true statement about incompetent evidence is that it refers to evidence which is:
inadmissible in court
given by insane persons
related to the determination of sanity
given by an unqualified witness
A writ of habeas corpus is an order to:
produce a document
produce a person
incarcerate a prisoner
exhume a body
The verb slue is defined as meaning to:
twist or skid
drain
lag behind
pronounce
To check the spelling and identification of a prescription drug, the best source among the following is:
The Merck Manual
Gould's Medical Dictionary
Materia Medica
Physicians' Desk Reference
A simile is a figure of speech that:
uses analogy for effect
likens one object to another
uses exaggeration for dramatic effect
contains a hidden meaning
The adjective germane is defined as meaning:
amicable
inaccurate
relevant
harmonious
Leading questions are permitted in a court trial during:
direct examination of a litigant
nonury trials involving identification of exhibits
nonjury trials involving contracts
cross-examination of an adverse witness
The best definition of the term parol evidence is a/an:
posted bond
bail motion
probation hearing
oral statement
The adjective indigent most nearly means:
displeased
innate
natural
needy
The Latin phrase et al. means:
all-inclusive
and others
that is
those following
The plaintiff in a felony case is always represented by:
counsel of his or her choice
the public defender
either the city attorney, the district attorney or the prosecutor
either the district attorney, the prosecutor or the attorney general
If a defendant fails to file an answer in a civil proceeding, plaintiff may obtain judgment by:
stipulation
default
refiling
nonsuit
A surrogate is a/an:
descendant
cohort
substitute
advocate
Fee simple means
without taxes
cost of minimum maintenance
easy payments
clear inheritance
A court reporter would most likely hear the word codicil in reference to matters of:
criminal behavior
finance
marine life
probate
In legal terms, to demur is to:
refuse to answer
withdraw a question
waive an objection
take exception
K-2, 1099 and W-4 are all terms relating to:
income tax forms
cash disbursement journals
accounting work sheets
trial balances
The best reference book in which to find the meaning of the word effluent is the:
Dictionary of Chemistry
Petroleum Industry Glossary
Resource Conservation Glossary
Railroad Directory of Car and Locomotive Terms
An exhibit handed to the jury must have been:
received in evidence
examined by the court
offered for identification
marked for identification
In a deposition, the proviso that all objections, except as to form, will be reserved to time of trial is contained in:
an affidavit
a pleading
a jurat
a stipulation
Attorneys enter into stipulations at depositions or examinations before trial in order to:
comply with the rules of the court
demonstrate their willingness to cooperate
facilitate the pretrial procedure
satisfy the requirements of the statute
A witness who waives signature at his or her deposition relinquishes the right to:
give his or her testimony
appear in court
offer additional testimony
review the transcript
At a deposition that is being videotaped, the witness should be sworn in by:
the videotape operator
no one; swearing in is unnecessay in videotaped depositions
either plaintiff's counsel or defense counsel
the court reporter
All of the following may occur within a jury's hearing except:
objections
sidebar conferences
rulings
oral argument
During a deposition, when an attorney asks the reporter to mark an exhibit but immediately asks the witness another question, the reporter should:
report the testimony
mark the exhibit
raise his or her hand
interrupt the question
When a witness will not allow identiication marks to be made on a document, the reporter should:
request the court to rule that the exhibit need not be marked
request counsel to stipulate that the exhibit need not be marked
obtain a photostatic copy to be marked
place the document in an envelope and file it in court without marking
Before a notary public may administer oaths or perform notarial acts, he or she must have a:
certificate
license
bond
seal
All the physical components of a computer system, including all mechanical, electronic, electrical and magnetic parts, are called:
hardware
microchips
software
workstations
In order to assure the fastest computer transcription when reporting testimony on daily copy the court reporter should:
prepare a handwritten spelling list for the scopist
write every syllable out instead of using abbreviations
use phrases no more than two words long
insert the correct punctuation when writing the testimony
CRT is an acronym standing for:
cassette read transcript
command, read, transcribe
cathode ray tube
computer rated transcription
A mistranslate on a computer-aided transcription (CAT) system is a steno outline that:
is translated by an incorrect English word or phrase
translates with more than one definition
does not translate at all
translates only partially
Counsel, in the passion of argument, creates a word. The reporter, when transcribing the material, should transcribe the word:
as it was said but put in quotation marks around it and (sic) after it
in italics
as it was said
as it was said but put in quotation marks around it
Which one of the following devices protects a computer from irregular electrical impulses?
iInsulator protector
surge protector
disk protector
cable protector
An individual suffering from vertigo is experiencing:
dizziness
poor circulation
exhaustion
nausea
When the judge directs that part of the testimony of the witness be stricken, which of the following procedures should the reporter follow?
Omit it from the transcript after carefully checking with the judge as to exactly which part should be stricken.
Include the judge's order and that portion of the testimony in the transcript.
Omit it from the transcript, with a parenthetical statement at that point that a portion of testimony has been omitted.
Retain everything in his notes, but omit that portion from the transcript.
Marking the shorthand notes to indicate the beginning and ending of a readback of a witness's testimony is important to:
assist the judge in preparing the instructions to the jury
assist the proofreader in referencing the readbacks
reflect accurately in the transcript the portion of the record read back
reflect the slient portions of the record
When investigating a criminal matter, a grand jury must arrive at two conclusions before an indictment may be issued. The first determination is whether or not a crime has been committed; the second is whether or not:
there is sufficient mitigating evidence to show innocence
the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
the accused should be incarcerated
there is probable cause to believe the defendant guilty
In a major criminal action, the reporter should obtain the caption from the:
prosecutor
defense counsel
An index of exhibits should contain a list of:
documents and objects referred to, whether or not actually marked for identification
those documents and objects actually received in evidence
documents and objects testified to but not marked
all documents and objects marked for identification and/or received in evidence
In case the jury later requests that the record be read back, the reporter will find it helpful to mark the notes while reporting. The MOST important area(s) to be marked for this purpose is/are:
the beginning and the end of expert testimony
any testimony that is to be striken from the record
the beginning of each new examination
the portion immediately after each witness is sworn
At a deposition, a court reporter is provided with the caption. Later, the reporter recognizes that the docket number belongs to a different jurisdiction. In this situation, the reporter should:
use the information that is more liekly to be correct
use the information as given on the notice
obtain the correct information from the witness
obtain the correct information from counsel's office
A deposition index indicates the page where the exhibits were:
retained for identification
offered into evidence
To obtain the definition of the term vena cava, the reporter should consult a dictionary of:
botanical terms
geological terms
legal terms
medical terms
When a physical gesture of a witness is not apparent from the accompanying testimony, it is reflected by the parenthetical:
(movement)
(motion)
(indicating)
(nodding)
IN CAT, a job dictionary is best defined as:
a glossary of computer terms
a user's manual identifying computer functions
identifications and terms applicable to that case
an information sheet
Administration of an oath is usually performed:
at the time the witness enters the courtroom
upon the arrival of witness's counsel
immediately before examination begins
as soon as all parties have arrived in the courtroom
In regard to exhibits marked during a deposition, all of the following statements refer to correct practices except the statement that such exhibits:
may be returned to the witness after photocopying
should be indicated parenthetically at the time of mrking
may be destroyed after transcript distribution
sould be indexed in the transcript
Before a witness may testify at trial, he or she must:
be served with a subpoena or court order
be shown to be mentally competent to testify
give a deposition to opposing counsel
swear or affirm to tell the truth
During the plaintiff's deposition, the plaintiff's spouse interrupts the testimony to clarify an answer. The reporter sould:
not report the comment, since the spouse is not under oath
not report the comment, unless instructed otherwise by deposing counsel
report the comment but omit it from the transcript
report the comment and include it in the transcript
Until the time of filing, the original tape of a videotaped deposition is usually retained by the:
clerk of the court
reporting or videotaping firm
opposing counsel
witness's attorney
When reporting a multiappearance trial, if one counsel requests a transcript requiring overnight delivery, the reporter should:
contact all counsel to inform them of the order nd ask if they want to purchase a copy
produce and deliver the transcript to the ordering counsel
contact the court clerk and request permission to comply
produce and deliver the trnacript to all parties
In federal court litigation, originals of deposition transcripts are normally:
retained by the witness until the time of trial
retained by the clerk of the court until the time of trial
filed at the time of trial by the court reporter present at the deposition
filed at the time of trial by the attorney who took the deposition
Which one of the following words is misspelled?
calendar
innoculate
erroneous
privilege
The phrase bona fide means:
in good faith
secured by a bond
passable counterfeit
proven loyalty
A computer can translate a reporter's stenograpic outlines because:
the reporter can first create a dictionary of the particular outlines used
the reporter can correct the transcription on the CRT
all possible shadowed outlines can be programmed into the software
optical scanners can format any system of shorthand
Parenthetical remarks -- the reporter's own words enclosed in parentheses -- are used in a transcript to:
record some relevant action
explain why a response was given
clarify the witness's meaning
draw certain conclusions
When a discussion is held off the record, the reporter should:
indicate in the shorthand notes only: (Discussion held off the record)
indicate in the transcript only: (Discussion held off the record)
make no notation of this in the notes or the transcript unless instructed to do so
make a notation of this in the shorthand notes and the transcript
The BROADEST editing may be done on transcripts of:
conventions
preliminary hearings
arbitrations
written interrogatories
When a party is represented by more than one attorney, the reporter should note on the information sheet the full name and address of ONLY the:
deposing counsel
chief counsel
attorneys of record
attorneys to be billed
A computer menu lists:
printer speed
functions
fonts
type styles
The word meaning disinclined towrd is:
averse
reverse
perverse
inverse
The editing function of a computer-aided transcription (CAT) system is used to:
establish a new format
correct mistranslates and resolve untranslates
eliminate false starts and poor English
revise poor sentence construction
The scopist observes that the reporter has made an obvious error while proofreading. Professional practice dictates that the scopist should:
correct the error and send out the transcript
return the transcript to the reporter for resolution of the problem
verify the correction with another reporter and send out the transcript
make the correction as noted by the reporter and send out the transcript
When reporter notes are being marked for storae and retrieval, the most important informtion pertains to the:
appearance
date
time
case name
The term untranslate is defined as a:
stenographic outline that is not defined in a CAT dictionary
parenthetical notation when the interpreter fails to translate part of the testimony
Latin word for which no English equivalent exists
foreign-language legal document that is marked as an exhibit
The BEST source for researching testimony involving freeway construction is a:
law library
local trade union
local newspaper
copy of Black's Law Dictionary
A thesaurus is primarily a:
medical reference
legal reference
book of synonyms
book of quotations
In the citation Smith v. Wallinski, 57 p 298 1975, the p stands for
penal code
Pennsylvania reporter
probate review
Pacific reporter
According to the United States Supreme Court Miranda decision, a right that accused persons have -- and of which they must be advised prior to police interrogation -- is the right during such interrogation to the presence of a:
disinterested witness
family member
lawyer
judge
When readback is requested, the reporter should do all of the following except:
read as rapidly as possible to avoid delaying the proceedings
mark the notes at the end of the portion read
identify in the notes the person who made the request
mark the notes at the beginning of the portion read
The best reference book in which to find the technical meaning of the word flashing is the:
Thesaurus of Biology
Construction Dictionary
Dictionary of Physical Sciences
The Shepard's Citations reference books contain:
summaries of case law
indices of case decisions
brief quotations from cases
indices of common law
The Bill of Rights is a part of the:
Code of Federal Regulations
Constitution of the United States
United States Code
Supreme Court Reports
A complete sentence contains a:
conjunction and verb
subject and a verb
subject and an infinitive
gerund and a verb
The word meaning viewpoint is properly spelled:
purspective
prospective
prespective
perspective
Transcript proofreading is a laborious task and is:
only required in technical cases
best performed on a monochrome computer screen
an essential component of transcript production
not required on daily-copy transcripts
When no proceedings are reported on the record, the court reporter should:
notify opposing counsel that his or her client is in default
make a notation that there are no notes
prepare an affidavit that no proceedings were reported
notify the witness to appear withing 10 days
By stipulating as to procedures prior to a deposition, counsel are agreeing to:
adhere to the rules
rescind the rules
ignore the rules
deviate from the rules
The required time for the storage of shorhand notes:
does not apply to testimony stored electronically
is controlled by jurisiction and/or local rules
is modified if the testimony has been videotaped
is inapplicable if the case settles
Which of the following pieces of information is not necessary for proper recordkeeping in a freelance reporting office?
names of litigants
final disposition of the case
date of deposition
date of filing of transcripts
At 9:45 a.m., counsel advises the waiting reporter that the deposition scheduled to be taken at that time has been canceled. The reporter:
should remin in counsel's waiting room and prepare bill for services
may return to his or her office at leisure
should cll his or her employer for further assignment
may go home and await further contact from his or her employer
When reporting proceedings on succeeding days in an ongoing case, each day the court reporter should:
bring all previous spelling lists
bring all previous information sheets
verigy the names of counsel present
verify the correct case title
The LEAST efficient method for keeping track of work-related expenses paid out of the reporter's pocket is by:
maintaining a daily cash journal
noting costs in a personal appointment book
relying on entries on a checkbook register
recording costs on a related work sheet
At a deposition, the reporter's authority to swear the witness comes from:
status as a qualified elector
legislation and/or court rule
an executive order of the court
membership in NCRA
Which one of the following items should appear on the information/work sheet?
sample page format
caption of the case
number of lines per page
margin of the transcript
The BEST reference book in which to find the meaning of the word rales is the:
Construction Glossary
Webster's Sports Dictionary
Medical Phrase Index
Glossary of Geology
You have just reported a deposition designated by court order as confidential. The exhibits to that deposition are reproduced and attached only:
under the supervision of court personnel
under the terms prescribed by the order
in accordance with the applicable rules of civil procedure
in the presence of representatives of counsel
When the reporter realizes that he will be unable to meet a promised delivery date for a transcript, the best course of conduct would be to:
hire another transcriber
so adivse the ordering parties
make no excuses but continue with the transcript preparation
wait until the promised delivery date and then adivse counsel
Unless otherwise specified by official rule, a transcript page should have no fewer lines than:
24
25
26
28
When a court reporter is not sure that a difficult answer has been written in its entirety, the reporter should:
fold the page bearing the notes of that answer for later review and improvisation
research the matter, then paraphrase according to the witness's intent
ask for clarifiction at the end of the proceeding
ask for repetition of the answer by the witness
The term double entry refers to:
circuitry malfunction resulting in duplication of data with CAT
accidental duplication of entry in a ledger reflecting the relationship between debits and credits
shadowed shorthand creating a double image on a CAT screen
a method of bookkeeping reflecting the relationship between debits and credits
A reporter should keep receipts for business-related expenses in order to:
preserve them in the event of a late order for a transcript
determine how to set next year's office budget
prepare an accurate itemized tax return
save for an individual retiement account
With regard to additional assignments, an official reporter who has a backlog of cases on appeal should:
accept only short freelance assignments
refer an assignment ot a court reporting student
offer the use of electronic recording equipment
refuse a freelance assignment
If an official reporter leaves the employ of a court system, his or her notes should be:
marked, labeled and left with the court
given to another reporter who may use the same system
left with a competent transcriber/scopist/notereader
taken with him or her and stored in a cool, dry environment
A computer menu is correctly described as listing:
functions available
jobs in progress
conflicts to resolve
space available
Evidence that confirms and adds credibility to evidence already offered is referred to as:
collaborating
corroborating
consummating
conjugating
The sternum is a bony plate that is attached by cartilage to the:
ribs
tailbone
spinal column
pelvis
The term liquidity is used to refer to the:
ratio between liquids and solids in a chemical formula
ease with which assets may be converted into cash
amount of moisture that is present in the atmosphere
ease with which an instrument may be negotiated
Plan of reorganization is a term used in a:
bankruptcy court
domestic relations court
criminal case
civil case
Of the exhibits marked during trial, which of the following are available to the jury for consideration during deliberations?
all exhibits offered by the parties
only those exhibits received in evidence
all exhibits designated by counsel
only those exhibits marked for identification
The reference known as Martindale-Hubbell is a compendium of:
forms of pleading in various jurisdictions
rules of law pertaining to state courts
names and addresses of attorneys throughout the country
cross-referenced citations
Which of the following is commonly contained in the index to a reporter's transcript?
a list of jurors' names and addresses
the names of lwyers in order of appearance
a list of stipulations made by counsel
the names of witnesses and a description of exhibits
The letters CPU refer to the:
video display portion of a computer terminal
part of a computer that actually processes data
indicator light on a computer screen
personal computer dictionary of an individual reporter
All objections made at the time of a deposition to the manner of taking it, or to the evidence presented, or to the conduct of any party, and any other objection to the proceedings, shall be:
resolved by stipulation between counsel
deemed overruled by the trial court
certified to the appellate court
included in the deposition
When a frequent term in a CAT-prepared transcript needs to be corrected throughout, the fastest method for performing this function is by:
scanning, reviewing and inserting
purging the dictionary entry
searching, deleting and inserting
making a global entry