Registered Professional Reporter (RPR) Legal Procedure and the Reporting Environment Syllabus

Legal Procedure and the Reporting Environment syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Legal Procedure and the Reporting Environment in Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   The U.S. Court System and Litigation Process

   4 topics

   • Federal vs state court structure
   • Civil vs criminal proceedings
   • Stages of litigation
     • Pleadings, discovery, motions
     • Trial, verdict, and appeal
   • Roles of judge, counsel, witnesses, and jury
2. 2

   Types of Proceedings Reporters Capture

   4 topics

   • Depositions
     • Oral examination and cross-examination
     • Stipulations and the usual stipulations
   • Trials, hearings, and arraignments
   • Grand jury and administrative hearings
   • Examinations under oath and arbitrations
3. 3

   Oath Administration and the Record

   5 topics

   • Notary public authority and administering oaths
   • Swearing in witnesses and interpreters
   • Marking and handling exhibits
   • Going on and off the record
   • Read-back and the reporter's neutral role
4. 4

   Rules Governing Reporting

   4 topics

   • Federal Rules of Civil Procedure relevant to reporters
     • Rule 30 depositions
     • Rule 28 persons before whom taken
   • State certification and licensure variations
   • Transcript turnaround and delivery rules
   • Witness review, errata sheets, and signing

Legal Procedure and the Reporting Environment flashcards for Registered Professional Reporter (RPR)

25 of 51 cards from the Legal Procedure and the Reporting Environment deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What two parallel court systems make up the U.S. judiciary?

   The federal court system and the state court system, which operate side by side with separate jurisdictions.

2. What are the three levels of the federal court system, from lowest to highest?

   U.S. District Courts (trial courts), U.S. Courts of Appeals (circuit courts), and the U.S. Supreme Court.

3. What kinds of cases do federal courts have jurisdiction over?

   Cases involving federal questions (the U.S. Constitution, federal laws, treaties) and diversity cases between citizens of different states exceeding $75,000.

4. What types of cases do state courts typically handle?

   The vast majority of cases, including most criminal matters, family law, probate, contracts, personal injury, and most state-law disputes.

5. What is the fundamental difference between civil and criminal proceedings?

   Civil proceedings resolve disputes between private parties seeking remedies like damages; criminal proceedings involve the government prosecuting a defendant for violating criminal law, with punishment as the outcome.

6. What is the standard of proof in a criminal case versus a civil case?

   Criminal: 'beyond a reasonable doubt.' Civil: 'preponderance of the evidence' (more likely than not), or 'clear and convincing evidence' for certain claims.

7. In a civil suit, what are the parties called?

   The plaintiff (who brings the suit) and the defendant (who is sued).

8. In a criminal case, who are the opposing parties?

   The prosecution (the government, e.g., the State or the United States) and the defendant (the accused).

9. What are the main stages of civil litigation in order?

   Pleadings, discovery, pretrial motions/conferences, trial, judgment, and appeal.

10. What is the discovery phase of litigation?

    The pretrial stage in which parties exchange information and evidence through tools like depositions, interrogatories, requests for production, and requests for admission.

11. What is the role of the judge in a proceeding?

    To preside over the case, rule on motions and objections, decide questions of law, instruct the jury, and ensure a fair and orderly proceeding.

12. What is the role of counsel (attorneys) in a proceeding?

    To represent and advocate for their clients by presenting evidence, examining witnesses, making arguments, and raising objections.

13. What is the role of a witness?

    To provide sworn testimony about facts within their personal knowledge or, for experts, to offer opinion testimony within their expertise.

14. What is the role of the jury?

    To serve as the finder of fact, weigh the evidence, and render a verdict; in criminal cases, to determine guilt, and in civil cases, liability and often damages.

15. What is a deposition?

    Out-of-court sworn testimony of a witness, taken before trial during discovery, recorded by a court reporter for use in preparing or presenting the case.

16. Who typically attends a deposition?

    The deponent (witness), attorneys for the parties, and the court reporter; no judge is present.

17. What is the difference between a deposition upon oral examination and one upon written questions?

    Oral examination involves attorneys asking questions live; written questions (FRCP Rule 31) are submitted in writing in advance and read to the deponent by the reporter.

18. What is an arraignment?

    A criminal pretrial proceeding where the defendant is formally informed of the charges and enters a plea (guilty, not guilty, or no contest).

19. What distinguishes a hearing from a trial?

    A hearing is a focused proceeding before a judge to decide a specific issue or motion, usually without a jury; a trial is the full presentation of evidence to resolve the case on the merits.

20. What is the function of a grand jury?

    To review evidence presented by the prosecutor and decide whether there is probable cause to issue an indictment charging someone with a crime.

21. How does a grand jury differ from a trial (petit) jury?

    A grand jury determines whether to bring charges (probable cause) and is larger (typically 16-23); a petit jury decides guilt or liability at trial and is smaller (typically 6-12).

22. What is an administrative hearing?

    A quasi-judicial proceeding before a government agency, presided over by an administrative law judge (ALJ), to resolve disputes involving agency regulations or benefits.

23. What is an Examination Under Oath (EUO)?

    A formal sworn questioning, commonly used in insurance claims, where a claimant answers questions under oath outside of litigation; often recorded by a reporter.

24. What is arbitration?

    A private, out-of-court dispute resolution process in which a neutral arbitrator hears evidence and renders a decision (award), which may be binding or non-binding.

25. How does arbitration differ from litigation?

    Arbitration is private, generally faster and less formal, uses an arbitrator instead of a judge/jury, has limited appeal rights, and is often based on the parties' agreement.

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