Court Reporter Practice Exam

What does a court reporter do with exhibits at the end of proceedings?

1. Store them in a personal archive

2. File them with the court clerk

3. Return them to the attorney

4. Destroy them after the case

The correct answer is: File them with the court clerk

A court reporter has the responsibility of ensuring that all exhibits presented during a legal proceeding are properly documented and handled in accordance with legal procedures. At the end of the proceedings, the correct action is to file the exhibits with the court clerk. This practice maintains the integrity of the court records, as exhibits may be critical for future reference in the case, potential appeals, or other legal matters. Filing with the court clerk ensures that these important pieces of evidence are preserved in a secure and organized manner, following legal protocols. Moreover, the other options do not conform to the standard practices for handling exhibits in a courtroom setting. Storing exhibits in a personal archive would compromise their legality and accessibility. Returning them to the attorney may not be appropriate if the exhibits are meant to be part of the official court record. Destroying them after the case would not be permissible, as exhibits may need to be reviewed later in connection with the proceedings, particularly if the case is subject to appeal. Thus, filing them with the court clerk is the necessary and correct procedure.