What is a court reporter?

• A. An official who keeps order in the courtroom.
• B. A committee that assists with settlement.
• C. A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court.
• D. A group of citizens deciding a case.

Answer: (C)

A court reporter is the person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court. They capture every spoken detail—from testimony and questions to objections and rulings—so there’s an exact written transcript of the proceedings. To do this, they use specialized tools like a stenotype machine or voice-writing software, and they may provide real-time transcription for the judge and attorneys. This precise record is essential for appeals and for the official court file. The person who keeps order in the courtroom is the bailiff, a committee for settlement isn’t a standard courtroom role, and a group of citizens deciding a case is a jury.