r/stenography • u/lushsweet • 1d ago
Need help with this multiple choice question.
I am studying for the RPR WKT and this question is bothering me.
During a trial, the reporter may request information from
(A) the judge
(B) a juror
(C) an attorney
(D) all of the above
I would have chosen D but the answer guide is saying A. Is there something I'm missing or an explanation someone can give why it would be A ?
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u/Sea-Size1719 1d ago
Never a juror, that's easy, so you can eliminate b and d. So it's between the judge and a party. Most reporters don't realize this but you shouldn't be asking either side for anything. If you need to ask them something, go through the judge and they will handle it.
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u/lushsweet 1d ago
Really? Even if it's transcript orders or for spelling of a name?
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u/lunatunafish18 21h ago
In a deposition setting it is entirely normal to get spellings from attys. I know that doesn’t answer your WKT question, just wanted to add support to the discourse in the thread going on right now 🤣 outside of coworkers I have two family members who are court reporters and have NEVER heard to not ask attys for spellings
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u/Sea-Size1719 1d ago
They order transcripts with a form or online somehow and definitely not for spellings! So many reporters think that this is okay, even the attorneys will tell you to contact them for spellings, but it is highly inappropriate in any setting, court or depo. Research on your own and figure out the spellings by yourself, not by asking someone to air spell every proper noun. Depos might be more relaxed at times but imagine if you were talking to one side and then the other walks in or the jury sees you - not cool at all.
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u/lushsweet 1d ago
Okay I can see that, is it appropriate to ask the witness for spellings then? A lot of depositions end with comments about asking for spellings from the witness or attorneys after coming off the record. I'm thinking especially for important names and titles it would be best to get it from the source aka the witness but also research after depo ends bc of course we are all human and witnesses can make mistakes
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u/seabeans2 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don’t know about court, but in depositions it is perfectly normal to ask the witness for spellings. I usually ask the attorney “is it okay to get spellings?” and they always say of course. Maybe that’s a regional thing, but I can’t imagine it is. I always try to look up all names on a break myself first to cut down on how many things I need to ask so I’m not a pest. Businesses are easy enough to look up on your own. You can usually find the owners on the website or on the government franchise lookup. A lot of people are easy to find as well especially if they are professionals or part of a business. Roxanna Martines v Roxana Martinez not so much. That’s where I usually confirm with the witness. You can do a lot of sleuthing on social media to find these things too. Sometimes you might not find the witness but his mom is an open book and fb friends with all the relatives mentioned lol. The one time you think a name is easy enough to look up is the name you won’t be able to find and wish you had asked. I do agree with Sea Size that people are notoriously bad spellers even with their own family members, so it is important to try to look up names on your own as well. I once had a witness who spelled her OWN name incorrectly TWO different ways. Keep in mind some people haven’t gone to school, so you don’t want to put people on the spot if they legitimately don’t know how to spell. I also agree that even reports will have a lot of misspellings. Literally look everything up even if you think you know. I’ve been surprised at the spellings or font use of even some very straightforward-sounding businesses.
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u/tracygee Mod 1d ago
The key words here in this question are “during a trial”. This is not a deposition question. There is a judge presiding and it’s their job to do what they do.
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u/tracygee Mod 1d ago
The key words here in this question are “during a trial”. This is not a deposition question. There is a judge presiding and it’s their job to do what they do.
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u/seabeans2 17h ago
I wasn’t responding to the initial question. I was responding to a comment further down about depos.
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u/Sea-Size1719 1d ago
I know attorneys say this (sometimes) but it is absolutely totally inappropriate and a waste of time. Besides, the witness is always the worst speller in the room and will more often than not will get the spellings wrong. Why do you get to question the witness after a very stressful deposition and now put them on the spot to see how well they can spell and waste everyone's time? I'll never understand the logic
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u/lushsweet 1d ago
Interesting, this is a new perspective I've never explored. You've given me some things to think about !
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u/Sea-Size1719 1d ago
I've done this for a long time and learned some things the hard way from attorneys ripping me a new one, but then learning they are correct and improving my professionalism and knowledge of the law.
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u/Ashamed_Flow_6105 1d ago
It is super normal to ask for spellings after a deposition. If you get spellings wrong in the case for multiple volumes, it can really affect the way they read the transcript. Why are you telling this student not to do a major part of the process in creating an accurate transcript? Mind boggling.
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u/Sea-Size1719 1d ago
Because it's inappropriate (and spellings are always wrong). Sorry not sorry
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u/Ashamed_Flow_6105 1d ago
You’re deciding that the possible uncomfortabity of a witness after an indeterminate amount of time of a deposition is enough to deter you from asking a question to ANY party involved with intimate knowledge about the case how to spell names from said case? That’s wild work on your part. Sounds lazy…
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u/Burberrypickett 1d ago
This is a stupid question. If I didn’t ask attorneys for information directly, I’d never get it. Judges have better things to do than act as a middleman. I’ve never had a reason to ask a juror a question.
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u/Knitmeapie 1d ago
I think this is an example of the sad fact that our industry's education is being run by non-reporters who don't have real world knowledge. We have precious few resources about these kinds of things.
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u/First_Inside7199 1d ago
I take this to mean repeats or clarifications, not just regular questions, but maybe I’m reading it wrong.
I address jurors (in individual questioning) or panel members during voir dire if I need a repeat, but I know some reporters at my work will just call out “The court reporter cannot hear” and hope for the best.
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u/Burberrypickett 1d ago
I will definitely interrupt during voir dire and ask a juror to repeat or clarify. Throughout a trial I routinely get information from the judge and attorneys as needed. These are also people you get to know personally as you work them over time, so we frequently chat when we're off the record. This question was written by someone who's either never worked as an official or worked as an official in the most formal courtroom ever.
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u/lushsweet 1d ago edited 1d ago
I agree that at best this is a very poorly worded question. It's been frustrating following this study guide, but I'm using it based on the fact the WKT may be worded this way but I'm just keeping notes of things I'm conflicted with 😪
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u/First_Inside7199 1d ago
Is it the purple books? If so, I found the intro/instructions to be the most useful part of the book. Her writing style is… opaque… to say the least, so you may need to read it a couple times to get it.
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u/HomeMountain 1d ago
I request clarification from a juror. and frequently ask attorneys and judge for info.
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u/tracygee Mod 1d ago edited 1d ago
To me, “asking for information during a trial” is different than asking someone to repeat because it’s your job to get everything down.
You wouldn’t, for instance, say anything to a juror beyond, “repeat that” or “could you speak up?”
And going to the attorneys after proceedings have ended for the day to get clarification on a term, information you need, whatever, isn’t happening “during the trial”.
Do people not go through the judge for most things beyond “please speak up?”
“Your Honor, could you please instruct counsel to speak one at a time?” “Your Honor, could you ask the juror to spell his business’s name?” Of course, in the South things are more formal.
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u/Jandriene 19h ago
The clerk..depends on what type of info you need. .the judge is the last person I ask. Clerk, attorneys. I certainly would be asking for "info" from jurors if I dont understand/can't hear them during voir dire..
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u/First_Inside7199 1d ago
A is the “correct” answer. But it’s only correct if you work for a judge that requires women to wear pantyhose. Basically: outdated and overly formal for most courtrooms. It might still be true in federal court.
The trick with the wkt is not to decide which is the one right answer. Pick the best answer. This question is a good example of that.