Court Reporter Practice Exam

Before a court reporter can relinquish control of an original deposition transcript, it must be certified and delivered to which party?

1. The client

2. The custodial attorney

3. The opposing counsel

4. The judge

The correct answer is: The custodial attorney

The correct response is that a court reporter must deliver the certified original deposition transcript to the custodial attorney. The custodial attorney, also known as the attorney who has taken responsibility for maintaining the original documents, is typically the one designated to receive the original transcript. This ensures that there is a specific, accountable party responsible for safeguarding the integrity of the original document. The certification process itself is important as it verifies the accuracy and completeness of the transcript, assuring all parties that the deposition can be relied upon as a true record of the proceedings. Once certified, the original must be securely handled, and giving it to the custodial attorney ensures that it is under the control of a knowledgeable and responsible individual who understands its significance in legal proceedings. In contrast, the other options do not align with the standard practice for handling original deposition transcripts. While clients and opposing counsel may ultimately receive copies of the transcript, it is not standard procedure for the original to be delivered to them directly. The judge may have access to the transcripts during the trial, but again, the original is specifically intended for the custodial attorney's management until it needs to be submitted to the court or other parties involved in the litigation.