Legal Terminology For Transcription And Court Reporting7 min read
Legal terminology can be confusing to those who are not familiar with the law. This article will provide a brief introduction to some of the most common legal terms and their meanings.
Legal terminology is specific to the law and can vary from country to country. The following are some of the most common legal terms used in the United States.
Affidavit: A written statement made under oath before a notary public or other authorized person.
Arraignment: The first appearance of a defendant in a criminal case, at which the defendant is formally charged with a crime.
Bail: The money or other security deposited to secure the release of a person arrested or detained.
Civil law: The body of law that governs private rights and remedies.
Constable: A law enforcement officer who is typically responsible for maintaining public order and for serving legal process.
Corpus delicti: Latin for “body of the crime.” The basic elements of a crime that must be established before a person can be convicted.
Criminal law: The body of law that governs the punishment of criminal offenses.
Defendant: The person against whom a criminal charge is brought.
Deposition: The testimony of a witness taken before trial, typically in response to written questions from the other party.
Discovery: The process by which the parties in a lawsuit exchange information and documents relevant to the case.
Due process: The principle that the government must respect all of the legal rights of a person, including the right to be heard and the right to be fairly judged.
Estate: All the property and assets of a person who has died.
Felony: A serious criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for more than a year.
Habeas corpus: Latin for “you have the body.” A writ (legal order) directing that a person be brought before a court or judge to determine whether the person is being held lawfully.
Injunction: A court order prohibiting a person from doing something or requiring a person to do something.
Jurisdiction: The authority of a court to hear and decide a case.
Lawyer: A person licensed to practice law in a particular jurisdiction.
Libel: The publication of a false statement that damages the reputation of a person or organization.
Litigation: The process of resolving a dispute in court.
Misdemeanor: A criminal offense punishable by imprisonment for less than a year.
Notary public: A person authorized to witness and certify the execution of legal documents.
Pleading: The formal written statement of the facts and legal arguments of a party to a lawsuit.
Prosecution: The act of bringing a criminal case against a defendant.
Proof of service: A document that shows that a legal document was served (delivered) to the person named in the document.
Prosecutor: A lawyer who represents the government in a criminal case.
Reasonable doubt: A doubt that a reasonable person would entertain after fully considering all the evidence in a case.
Remand: To send a case back to a lower court for further proceedings.
Sentence: The punishment imposed on a person convicted of a crime.
Statute: A law passed by a legislative body.
Tort: A civil wrong other than a breach of contract.
Witness: A person who testifies in a court proceeding.
There are many other legal terms that could be included in this article, but these are some of the most common. Hopefully, this article will provide a
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What are court transcribers called?
Court transcribers are professionals who provide a written transcript of court proceedings. The transcript can be used by attorneys to review the proceedings, by judges to make decisions, or by the public to understand the proceedings.
Court transcribers are usually called court reporters. They use a steno machine to record court proceedings. The steno machine records the proceedings in real time, and the court reporter then types the transcript from the steno machine.
There are two types of court reporters – stenotype reporters and voice reporters. Stenotype reporters use a special keyboard to type the transcript. Voice reporters speak into a microphone to record the proceedings.
Most court reporters are certified by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). The NCRA offers certification exams for both stenotype and voice reporters.
Court reporters can work for the court system, for a law firm, or for a private company. They may work full-time or part-time, and may be employed on a contract basis.
The work of a court reporter is important to the legal system. The transcript they provide can be used to help resolve disputes and to ensure that the court proceedings are fair and accurate.
What is the difference between court reporter and transcriptionist?
Court reporters and transcriptionists are both vital to the legal profession, but they have different roles. A court reporter is responsible for creating an accurate, legal transcript of court proceedings, while a transcriptionist may be responsible for creating a transcript or simply transcribing audio files.
A court reporter is a legal professional who creates an accurate transcript of court proceedings. They are often present in courtrooms to take down every word that is said, and they often use special equipment like a stenotype machine to do so. After the court proceedings are finished, the court reporter will create a transcript of the proceedings. This transcript can be used in court as evidence, and it can also be used to help lawyers research cases.
A transcriptionist is someone who transcribes audio files into text. They may be responsible for creating a transcript of an entire audio file, or they may simply be responsible for transcribing specific portions of an audio file. Transcriptionists often work for legal firms, and they may be responsible for transcribing meeting minutes, depositions, or other legal documents.
What are the two main methods of court reporting?
There are two main methods of court reporting: stenography and voice writing.
Stenography is a method of taking notes by hand that uses a special shorthand alphabet. A stenographer types up these notes after the trial is done. This is the most common method of court reporting.
Voice writing is a method where the court reporter repeats everything that is said in the courtroom out loud. This method is slower than stenography, but it can be used in situations where there is a lot of background noise.
How do they transcribe court cases?
How do they transcribe court cases?
Transcribing court cases is a process that is done in order to accurately record the proceedings of a court case. This process is done by a court reporter, who is responsible for creating a verbatim transcript of the proceedings.
There are a few different methods that can be used to transcribe court cases. The most common method is to use a stenotype machine. This machine allows the court reporter to type quickly and accurately, creating a transcript that is easy to read.
Another method that can be used to transcribe court cases is to use a voice recorder. This method is not as common, but can be useful in situations where a stenotype machine is not available.
Regardless of the method that is used, the court reporter is responsible for ensuring that the transcript is accurate and complete. They must also ensure that the transcript is ready to be submitted to the court in a timely manner.
What is a court typist called?
A court typist is a person who types up court documents for a judge. They may also be called a court reporter.
What is the difference between a stenographer and a court reporter?
Both stenographers and court reporters are responsible for taking down verbatim testimony during legal proceedings, but there are some key differences between the two professions.
Stenographers use a stenotype machine, which is a typewriter-like machine with special keys that allow the user to type multiple symbols simultaneously. This allows them to take down testimony quickly and accurately. Court reporters, on the other hand, use a traditional typewriter or a computer to take down testimony.
Another key difference is that stenographers often work for private companies, while court reporters are employed by the government. Stenographers may also be used to take down other types of information, such as meeting minutes or notes from a lecture.
What does a court transcriber do?
A court transcriber is responsible for transcribing the proceedings of a court case. This involves listening to court proceedings and recording them in a written format. Court transcribers must be accurate and efficient in order to ensure that the proceedings are accurately documented.
The work of a court transcriber can be very demanding. They must be able to work quickly and efficiently, while also ensuring that all the details of the proceedings are captured accurately. Court transcribers may also be required to create transcripts for use in legal proceedings.
The role of a court transcriber is an important one. By accurately documenting court proceedings, they help to ensure that justice is carried out effectively.
