AAERT Exam Review 2026/2027 | 250+ Practice Questions & Answers
| Legal Terminology, Ethics, Reporting Equipment & Court Proceedings
Legal Terminology & Court Proceedings
1. What is the primary purpose of a court reporter's record?
A. To summarize the case
B. To preserve an accurate record of proceedings
C. To advise the judge
D. To represent a party
Answer: B
Rationale: The reporter's fundamental role is to preserve an accurate record of
what occurs.
2. What is a deposition?
A. A jury verdict
B. Sworn testimony taken outside court
C. A judicial sentence
D. A court order
Answer: B
Rationale: A deposition generally involves sworn testimony taken outside the
courtroom, commonly during discovery.
3. Who is the person giving testimony at a deposition?
A. Deponent
B. Plaintiff
C. Bailiff
D. Juror
Answer: A
Rationale: The person whose sworn testimony is being taken is called the
deponent.
4. What is a plaintiff?
A. Person bringing a civil action
,B. Court reporter
C. Person defending a criminal charge only
D. Court clerk
Answer: A
Rationale: In a civil action, the plaintiff generally initiates the lawsuit.
5. What is a defendant?
A. Person who records testimony
B. Party against whom an action is brought
C. Judge's assistant
D. Witness
Answer: B
Rationale: The defendant is the party responding to a civil claim or accused in a
criminal case.
6. What does “testimony” mean?
A. Legal fee
B. Evidence given by a witness under oath
C. Courtroom furniture
D. Written court rule
Answer: B
Rationale: Testimony is evidence provided by a witness, ordinarily under oath.
7. What does an affidavit generally contain?
A. Sworn written statement
B. Jury instructions only
C. Audio recordings
D. Court equipment specifications
Answer: A
Rationale: An affidavit is generally a written statement made under oath.
8. What is a subpoena?
A. A request or command requiring a person to appear or produce information
B. A verdict
C. A transcript format
,D. A microphone setting
Answer: A
Rationale: A subpoena can compel attendance, testimony, or production of
specified materials, depending on its type.
9. What is a subpoena duces tecum generally concerned with?
A. Producing documents or tangible materials
B. Selecting jurors
C. Recording audio
D. Issuing a verdict
Answer: A
Rationale: A subpoena duces tecum generally requires production of specified
documents or things.
10. What is hearsay generally defined as?
A. Any testimony given loudly
B. An out-of-court statement offered for its truth
C. Any written testimony
D. A judge's ruling
Answer: B
Rationale: This is the basic definition, although rules contain numerous exceptions
and jurisdictional variations.
11. What does “jurisdiction” refer to?
A. A court's legal authority over a matter or person
B. A transcript page
C. A recording channel
D. A witness statement
Answer: A
Rationale: Jurisdiction concerns the legal authority of a court to hear and decide
matters.
12. What is negligence?
A. Intentional criminal conduct in every case
B. Failure to exercise required reasonable care
, C. A court order
D. A deposition transcript
Answer: B
Rationale: Negligence generally involves failure to use reasonable care under the
applicable circumstances.
13. What is liability?
A. Legal responsibility or obligation
B. Court equipment
C. Jury selection
D. Transcript formatting
Answer: A
Rationale: Liability concerns legal responsibility for an act, omission, debt, injury,
or other obligation.
14. What is an injunction?
A. A court order requiring or prohibiting specified conduct
B. A witness list
C. An audio file
D. A deposition exhibit
Answer: A
Rationale: An injunction is a judicial order directing a party to do or refrain from
doing something.
15. What is a verdict?
A. The formal decision of a jury or fact finder
B. A witness oath
C. A subpoena
D. A deposition notice
Answer: A
Rationale: A verdict represents the fact finder's decision on issues submitted for
determination.
16. What does “appeal” generally mean?
A. Request for review by a higher court
| Legal Terminology, Ethics, Reporting Equipment & Court Proceedings
Legal Terminology & Court Proceedings
1. What is the primary purpose of a court reporter's record?
A. To summarize the case
B. To preserve an accurate record of proceedings
C. To advise the judge
D. To represent a party
Answer: B
Rationale: The reporter's fundamental role is to preserve an accurate record of
what occurs.
2. What is a deposition?
A. A jury verdict
B. Sworn testimony taken outside court
C. A judicial sentence
D. A court order
Answer: B
Rationale: A deposition generally involves sworn testimony taken outside the
courtroom, commonly during discovery.
3. Who is the person giving testimony at a deposition?
A. Deponent
B. Plaintiff
C. Bailiff
D. Juror
Answer: A
Rationale: The person whose sworn testimony is being taken is called the
deponent.
4. What is a plaintiff?
A. Person bringing a civil action
,B. Court reporter
C. Person defending a criminal charge only
D. Court clerk
Answer: A
Rationale: In a civil action, the plaintiff generally initiates the lawsuit.
5. What is a defendant?
A. Person who records testimony
B. Party against whom an action is brought
C. Judge's assistant
D. Witness
Answer: B
Rationale: The defendant is the party responding to a civil claim or accused in a
criminal case.
6. What does “testimony” mean?
A. Legal fee
B. Evidence given by a witness under oath
C. Courtroom furniture
D. Written court rule
Answer: B
Rationale: Testimony is evidence provided by a witness, ordinarily under oath.
7. What does an affidavit generally contain?
A. Sworn written statement
B. Jury instructions only
C. Audio recordings
D. Court equipment specifications
Answer: A
Rationale: An affidavit is generally a written statement made under oath.
8. What is a subpoena?
A. A request or command requiring a person to appear or produce information
B. A verdict
C. A transcript format
,D. A microphone setting
Answer: A
Rationale: A subpoena can compel attendance, testimony, or production of
specified materials, depending on its type.
9. What is a subpoena duces tecum generally concerned with?
A. Producing documents or tangible materials
B. Selecting jurors
C. Recording audio
D. Issuing a verdict
Answer: A
Rationale: A subpoena duces tecum generally requires production of specified
documents or things.
10. What is hearsay generally defined as?
A. Any testimony given loudly
B. An out-of-court statement offered for its truth
C. Any written testimony
D. A judge's ruling
Answer: B
Rationale: This is the basic definition, although rules contain numerous exceptions
and jurisdictional variations.
11. What does “jurisdiction” refer to?
A. A court's legal authority over a matter or person
B. A transcript page
C. A recording channel
D. A witness statement
Answer: A
Rationale: Jurisdiction concerns the legal authority of a court to hear and decide
matters.
12. What is negligence?
A. Intentional criminal conduct in every case
B. Failure to exercise required reasonable care
, C. A court order
D. A deposition transcript
Answer: B
Rationale: Negligence generally involves failure to use reasonable care under the
applicable circumstances.
13. What is liability?
A. Legal responsibility or obligation
B. Court equipment
C. Jury selection
D. Transcript formatting
Answer: A
Rationale: Liability concerns legal responsibility for an act, omission, debt, injury,
or other obligation.
14. What is an injunction?
A. A court order requiring or prohibiting specified conduct
B. A witness list
C. An audio file
D. A deposition exhibit
Answer: A
Rationale: An injunction is a judicial order directing a party to do or refrain from
doing something.
15. What is a verdict?
A. The formal decision of a jury or fact finder
B. A witness oath
C. A subpoena
D. A deposition notice
Answer: A
Rationale: A verdict represents the fact finder's decision on issues submitted for
determination.
16. What does “appeal” generally mean?
A. Request for review by a higher court
