Court Reporter Practice Exam

What action does a court reporter (CR) take when testimony is interrupted by a conversation?

1. Record the interruption as a footnote

2. Ignore the interruption

3. Transcribe the conversation as colloquy

4. Summarize the gist of the interruption

The correct answer is: Transcribe the conversation as colloquy

When testimony is interrupted by a conversation, the appropriate action for a court reporter is to transcribe that conversation as colloquy. Colloquy refers to a dialogue or conversation between parties involved in the case, and it is essential for maintaining an accurate and complete record of the proceedings. This ensures that all verbal interactions, including interruptions, are captured and can be referred to later if needed, preserving the integrity of the court record. Recording interruptions in this manner allows for a clear understanding of the context in which the testimony was given and how the interruption may impact the trial or hearing. The goal of a court reporter is to provide a faithful and precise transcript of everything that occurs in the courtroom, and transcribing conversations as colloquy accomplishes that objective effectively.