Court Reporter Practice Exam

In a deposition, who typically bears the burden of ensuring the record is maintained accurately?

1. The judge

2. The attorney

3. The court reporter

4. The defendant

The correct answer is: The court reporter

In a deposition, the responsibility for ensuring the record is maintained accurately falls primarily on the court reporter. This professional is trained to capture all spoken dialogue verbatim, including the tone and nuances of the testimony. The court reporter utilizes specialized equipment and techniques to create a complete and precise transcript of the proceedings. While attorneys and other participants may play roles in facilitating the deposition, such as making objections or clarifying questions, it is fundamentally the court reporter's duty to ensure that everything is accurately recorded. Their work is vital, as the transcripts generated from these sessions can be referenced in later stages of litigation, including trials. Each participant in a deposition has specific responsibilities, but the core task of maintaining an accurate record is uniquely entrusted to the court reporter. Thus, they bear the ultimate burden of ensuring that the official documentation is complete and correct.