Louisiana Certified Court Reporter Exam
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale Q&A
1. Under Louisiana Revised Statute 37:2554, which action by a certified court reporter
would constitute unprofessional conduct warranting disciplinary action?
A. Refusing to transcribe a deposition due to a conflict of interest disclosed to all parties.
B. Providing a certified transcript to a party without a court order after the deposition is
sealed by stipulation.
C. Using a realtime feed to assist a hearing-impaired attorney with permission from the
court.
D. Charging a fee for expedited transcript delivery that exceeds the statutory page rate.
Answer: B. Providing a certified transcript to a party without a court order after the
deposition is sealed by stipulation.
Rationale: Providing a sealed transcript without a court order violates confidentiality and
statutory duties. A, C, and D are permissible: conflict disclosure, reasonable
accommodation, and expedited fees are not prohibited by the statute.
2. During a jury trial, an attorney objects to a question as 'leading.' The judge asks the
court reporter to read back the previous question and answer. Which principle
governs the reporter's readback?
A. The reporter must paraphrase the question to avoid inflaming the jury.
B. The reporter must read verbatim from the stenographic notes, including objections and
rulings.
C. The reporter may omit bench conferences not heard by the jury.
D. The reporter should provide only the answer, as the question is already known.
Answer: B. The reporter must read verbatim from the stenographic notes, including
objections and rulings.
Rationale: Court reporters must read back verbatim from their notes, including all spoken
words in the record. Paraphrasing or omitting parts violates accuracy. Bench conferences
are included unless the judge orders otherwise.
Page 1 of 82
,3. A Louisiana appellate court requires a transcript of a hearing held in a rural parish.
The court reporter's stenographic notes are incomplete due to equipment failure.
What is the most appropriate course of action?
A. Reconstruct the missing portions from memory and certify the transcript as complete.
B. Notify the court and parties immediately, and request a hearing to settle the record
under La. R.S. 13:3733.
C. Use an audio backup recording to fill gaps without disclosing the equipment failure.
D. File a motion to dismiss the appeal due to an incomplete record.
Answer: B. Notify the court and parties immediately, and request a hearing to settle
the record under La. R.S. 13:3733.
Rationale: Louisiana law provides a procedure to settle an incomplete record. The reporter
must disclose the issue and seek judicial resolution. Reconstructing from memory or using
undisclosed backups violates ethics and accuracy.
4. Which of the following best describes the 'verbatim' standard in Louisiana court
reporting, as applied to nonverbal communication?
A. Only spoken words are transcribed; gestures are never included.
B. Nonverbal actions that are relevant to the record (e.g., nodding) may be noted in
parentheses if observed.
C. All nonverbal actions must be transcribed in full detail as if spoken.
D. Nonverbal communication is excluded unless the judge specifically requests it.
Answer: B. Nonverbal actions that are relevant to the record (e.g., nodding) may be
noted in parentheses if observed.
Rationale: Verbatim transcription includes spoken words and relevant nonverbal cues when
they affect meaning. The reporter uses parentheticals for clarity, but not every gesture. This
aligns with NCRA and Louisiana best practices.
Page 2 of 82
,5. A court reporter is asked to transcribe a deposition where the witness speaks
Louisiana Creole. The reporter is not fluent. What is the ethical and professional
obligation?
A. Proceed with transcription using general knowledge of French to approximate
meaning.
B. Refuse the assignment and suggest a reporter who is fluent in Creole.
C. Transcribe phonetically and note that the witness spoke a dialect.
D. Request a qualified interpreter and transcribe the interpreter's English rendition.
Answer: D. Request a qualified interpreter and transcribe the interpreter's English
rendition.
Rationale: When a witness speaks a language the reporter does not understand, an
interpreter must be provided. The reporter then transcribes the interpreter's English.
Proceeding without fluency risks inaccuracy and ethical violations.
6. In Louisiana, a certified court reporter's realtime feed is used during a trial. Which
security measure is most critical to prevent unauthorized access?
A. Encrypting the wireless transmission and restricting access to authorized devices.
B. Using a wired connection only, as wireless is inherently insecure.
C. Disabling the realtime feed during bench conferences.
D. Providing the feed only to the judge and opposing counsel.
Answer: A. Encrypting the wireless transmission and restricting access to authorized
devices.
Rationale: Realtime feeds must be secured to protect confidentiality. Encryption and access
controls are standard. Wired connections may be secure but are not always feasible;
disabling during conferences is good practice but not the primary security measure.
Page 3 of 82
, 7. A court reporter is subpoenaed to testify about a transcript she produced. Under
Louisiana law, what is her obligation regarding the transcript's accuracy?
A. She may refuse to testify due to reporter-client privilege.
B. She must testify that the transcript is a true and accurate record, subject to penalty of
perjury.
C. She can only testify if the judge grants permission.
D. She should claim lack of memory to avoid self-incrimination.
Answer: B. She must testify that the transcript is a true and accurate record, subject
to penalty of perjury.
Rationale: Court reporters certify transcripts under penalty of perjury and may be called to
testify about their accuracy. There is no reporter-client privilege that shields the
transcript's veracity. Refusing to testify may result in contempt.
8. Which of the following is a violation of the Louisiana Code of Professional Conduct
for Court Reporters regarding conflicts of interest?
A. Accepting a gift from an attorney after completing a deposition.
B. Reporting a deposition involving a family member without disclosing the relationship.
C. Working as a freelance reporter for multiple agencies simultaneously.
D. Advertising services in a legal newspaper.
Answer: B. Reporting a deposition involving a family member without disclosing the
relationship.
Rationale: Reporters must disclose any relationship that could impair objectivity.
Reporting a family member's case without disclosure is a conflict. Gifts, freelance work,
and advertising are not per se violations unless they influence impartiality.
Page 4 of 82
Practice Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale Q&A
1. Under Louisiana Revised Statute 37:2554, which action by a certified court reporter
would constitute unprofessional conduct warranting disciplinary action?
A. Refusing to transcribe a deposition due to a conflict of interest disclosed to all parties.
B. Providing a certified transcript to a party without a court order after the deposition is
sealed by stipulation.
C. Using a realtime feed to assist a hearing-impaired attorney with permission from the
court.
D. Charging a fee for expedited transcript delivery that exceeds the statutory page rate.
Answer: B. Providing a certified transcript to a party without a court order after the
deposition is sealed by stipulation.
Rationale: Providing a sealed transcript without a court order violates confidentiality and
statutory duties. A, C, and D are permissible: conflict disclosure, reasonable
accommodation, and expedited fees are not prohibited by the statute.
2. During a jury trial, an attorney objects to a question as 'leading.' The judge asks the
court reporter to read back the previous question and answer. Which principle
governs the reporter's readback?
A. The reporter must paraphrase the question to avoid inflaming the jury.
B. The reporter must read verbatim from the stenographic notes, including objections and
rulings.
C. The reporter may omit bench conferences not heard by the jury.
D. The reporter should provide only the answer, as the question is already known.
Answer: B. The reporter must read verbatim from the stenographic notes, including
objections and rulings.
Rationale: Court reporters must read back verbatim from their notes, including all spoken
words in the record. Paraphrasing or omitting parts violates accuracy. Bench conferences
are included unless the judge orders otherwise.
Page 1 of 82
,3. A Louisiana appellate court requires a transcript of a hearing held in a rural parish.
The court reporter's stenographic notes are incomplete due to equipment failure.
What is the most appropriate course of action?
A. Reconstruct the missing portions from memory and certify the transcript as complete.
B. Notify the court and parties immediately, and request a hearing to settle the record
under La. R.S. 13:3733.
C. Use an audio backup recording to fill gaps without disclosing the equipment failure.
D. File a motion to dismiss the appeal due to an incomplete record.
Answer: B. Notify the court and parties immediately, and request a hearing to settle
the record under La. R.S. 13:3733.
Rationale: Louisiana law provides a procedure to settle an incomplete record. The reporter
must disclose the issue and seek judicial resolution. Reconstructing from memory or using
undisclosed backups violates ethics and accuracy.
4. Which of the following best describes the 'verbatim' standard in Louisiana court
reporting, as applied to nonverbal communication?
A. Only spoken words are transcribed; gestures are never included.
B. Nonverbal actions that are relevant to the record (e.g., nodding) may be noted in
parentheses if observed.
C. All nonverbal actions must be transcribed in full detail as if spoken.
D. Nonverbal communication is excluded unless the judge specifically requests it.
Answer: B. Nonverbal actions that are relevant to the record (e.g., nodding) may be
noted in parentheses if observed.
Rationale: Verbatim transcription includes spoken words and relevant nonverbal cues when
they affect meaning. The reporter uses parentheticals for clarity, but not every gesture. This
aligns with NCRA and Louisiana best practices.
Page 2 of 82
,5. A court reporter is asked to transcribe a deposition where the witness speaks
Louisiana Creole. The reporter is not fluent. What is the ethical and professional
obligation?
A. Proceed with transcription using general knowledge of French to approximate
meaning.
B. Refuse the assignment and suggest a reporter who is fluent in Creole.
C. Transcribe phonetically and note that the witness spoke a dialect.
D. Request a qualified interpreter and transcribe the interpreter's English rendition.
Answer: D. Request a qualified interpreter and transcribe the interpreter's English
rendition.
Rationale: When a witness speaks a language the reporter does not understand, an
interpreter must be provided. The reporter then transcribes the interpreter's English.
Proceeding without fluency risks inaccuracy and ethical violations.
6. In Louisiana, a certified court reporter's realtime feed is used during a trial. Which
security measure is most critical to prevent unauthorized access?
A. Encrypting the wireless transmission and restricting access to authorized devices.
B. Using a wired connection only, as wireless is inherently insecure.
C. Disabling the realtime feed during bench conferences.
D. Providing the feed only to the judge and opposing counsel.
Answer: A. Encrypting the wireless transmission and restricting access to authorized
devices.
Rationale: Realtime feeds must be secured to protect confidentiality. Encryption and access
controls are standard. Wired connections may be secure but are not always feasible;
disabling during conferences is good practice but not the primary security measure.
Page 3 of 82
, 7. A court reporter is subpoenaed to testify about a transcript she produced. Under
Louisiana law, what is her obligation regarding the transcript's accuracy?
A. She may refuse to testify due to reporter-client privilege.
B. She must testify that the transcript is a true and accurate record, subject to penalty of
perjury.
C. She can only testify if the judge grants permission.
D. She should claim lack of memory to avoid self-incrimination.
Answer: B. She must testify that the transcript is a true and accurate record, subject
to penalty of perjury.
Rationale: Court reporters certify transcripts under penalty of perjury and may be called to
testify about their accuracy. There is no reporter-client privilege that shields the
transcript's veracity. Refusing to testify may result in contempt.
8. Which of the following is a violation of the Louisiana Code of Professional Conduct
for Court Reporters regarding conflicts of interest?
A. Accepting a gift from an attorney after completing a deposition.
B. Reporting a deposition involving a family member without disclosing the relationship.
C. Working as a freelance reporter for multiple agencies simultaneously.
D. Advertising services in a legal newspaper.
Answer: B. Reporting a deposition involving a family member without disclosing the
relationship.
Rationale: Reporters must disclose any relationship that could impair objectivity.
Reporting a family member's case without disclosure is a conflict. Gifts, freelance work,
and advertising are not per se violations unless they influence impartiality.
Page 4 of 82
