CSR Legal & Courtroom Procedures 2

Question 1

When a witness invokes the Fifth Amendment during a deposition, what must the court reporter do?

Accepted Answer

Record the invocation verbatim in the transcript

Answer

The reporter must transcribe the witness's Fifth Amendment invocation verbatim just like any other testimony.

Question 2

A 'motion in limine' is filed to:

Accepted Answer

Exclude certain evidence or testimony before it is presented at trial

Answer

A motion in limine asks the court to prohibit specific evidence or arguments from being presented to the jury.

Question 3

During voir dire, jurors are questioned primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Determine potential bias and select an impartial jury

Answer

Voir dire is the jury selection process used to identify and remove potentially biased jurors.

Question 4

What does the term 'sidebar' refer to in courtroom proceedings?

Accepted Answer

A private conference between the judge and attorneys at the bench

Answer

A sidebar is an off-the-record (unless the reporter is invited) conference held at the bench away from the jury.

Question 5

Which document formally notifies a party that a lawsuit has been filed against them?

Accepted Answer

Summons and complaint

Answer

A summons and complaint together serve as the initial notice to a defendant that a civil action has commenced.

(CSR) Certified Shorthand Reporter Practice Test