Court Reporter Practice Exam

What should a court reporter do if an attorney requests a rough draft?

1. Provide a preliminary version of the transcript

2. Provide only the final version

3. Advise the attorney that rough drafts are not available

4. Charge extra for a rough draft

The correct answer is: Provide a preliminary version of the transcript

When an attorney requests a rough draft of the transcript, the appropriate response is to provide a preliminary version of the transcript. This is often acceptable practice in court reporting and allows attorneys to have access to the rough data for immediate reference. Rough drafts can be beneficial for attorneys who need to review testimony or statements before the final transcript is completed. The preliminary version typically contains a verbatim account of the proceedings, which may have some errors or be less polished than the final document. This version is crafted quickly to assist attorneys in their work, ensuring they have the necessary information for within deadlines or for further legal actions. In contrast, providing only the final version denies the attorney the opportunity to review important details in a timely manner, while advising that rough drafts are not available does not align with the common practices in court reporting. Charging extra for a rough draft may not be standard and could discourage attorneys from utilizing this valuable resource. Therefore, offering a preliminary version strikes the right balance between providing necessary information promptly and maintaining professional standards in court reporting.