Court Reporter Practice Exam 2026 – Complete Study Resource

The term "pro se" is derived from Latin, meaning "on one's own behalf." It refers to individuals who choose to represent themselves in legal proceedings without the assistance of an attorney. This can occur in a variety of legal contexts, including civil and criminal cases, where the individual feels confident enough to handle their case without professional representation. Understanding this definition is crucial for court reporters and others in the legal field because pro se litigants may present unique challenges and considerations during court proceedings.

The other options pertain to different legal concepts. For instance, a prosecution team involves attorneys representing the government in a criminal case, a type of legal document encompasses various filings and forms used in legal processes, and a party represented by counsel refers to individuals or organizations that have hired an attorney to advocate on their behalf. Each of these concepts differs fundamentally from the self-representation characteristic of pro se parties.