Multi-Party Proceedings & Speaker Identification Flashcards

In a multi-defendant criminal trial with two defense attorneys from different firms, how should they be distinguished in the transcript?

Answer: Each identified by name and noted as counsel for their respective defendant (e.g., MR. SMITH for Defendant Jones)

Using each attorney's name paired with their specific client's name ensures the record clearly distinguishes which defense counsel is speaking and on behalf of whom.

What is the recommended microphone placement technique for a witness who frequently turns away from the recording equipment while testifying?

Answer: Use a lavalier (clip-on) microphone attached to the witness to capture audio regardless of head orientation

A lavalier microphone moves with the witness, maintaining consistent audio capture even when the witness turns or shifts position during testimony.

When a telephonic witness participates in a court proceeding, how is their audio typically integrated into the multi-channel recording system?

Answer: The telephone audio is captured on a dedicated input channel via a hybrid coupler or audio interface

A hybrid coupler or telephone audio interface feeds the telephonic participant's audio directly into a dedicated recording channel, ensuring clean capture separate from room audio.

In a class action lawsuit with twelve plaintiff attorneys who may each address the court, what organizational method best helps the electronic court reporter track speaker participation?

Answer: Maintain a numbered attorney roster tied to assigned microphone positions, updated as attorneys rotate

A numbered roster linked to fixed microphone positions allows the reporter to identify each speaker by position even in rapid succession, ensuring accurate attribution.

What does the notation [INAUDIBLE] signify in a multi-party transcript, and how does it differ from [UNINTELLIGIBLE]?

Answer: [INAUDIBLE] means the audio level was too low to hear; [UNINTELLIGIBLE] means audio was audible but unclear or garbled

[INAUDIBLE] indicates the sound could not be heard at all (volume too low or absent), while [UNINTELLIGIBLE] means the sound was audible but could not be understood due to distortion or garbling.

How should an electronic court reporter handle a situation where they cannot identify a speaker by voice, seating chart, or appearance sheet?

Answer: Flag the passage as UNKNOWN SPEAKER, note the timestamp, and seek clarification on the record at the earliest appropriate opportunity

Flagging the passage as UNKNOWN SPEAKER with a timestamp preserves the record's integrity and creates an opportunity to resolve the identification through on-the-record clarification.

When court is recessed during a multi-party proceeding, what is the standard protocol for the electronic recording system?

Answer: Pause the recording and note the recess time in the log; resume and note the time when court reconvenes

The standard protocol is to pause the recording at the recess call, log the exact time, and log the reconvene time when court resumes, maintaining a clear on-the-record/off-the-record boundary.