Ally Court Reporter Preference Sheet

Court Reporter Preference Form
Your Name

First NameLast Name
Email
example@example.com
Phone Number
No specific guideMargie Wakeman Wells (Bad Grammar/Good Punctuation)Morson's English GuideOther
The Basics
You called him; is that correct?You called him, is that correct?You called him. Is that correct?
You called him; correct?You called him, correct?You called him. Correct?
2. Date and Time (Pick one of each)
555-333-1234(555) 333-1234
2:002:00 o'clock2 o'clock
at 2:00at twoat 2
A My name is Robert, R-O-B-E-R-T.A My name is Robert, R-o-b-e-r-t.
Attorney: Can you read the question back, please.Witness: Could you repeat the question.Attorney: Can you read the question back, please?Witness: Could you repeat the question?
Ms. Jones's carMs. Jones' carMs. Jones' car (unless the extra syllable is spoken; then make it Jones's)
hearing the matter of Smith versus Brownhearing the matter of Smith vs. Brownhearing the matter of Smith v. Brown
(sic)[sic]I don't use sicOther
the papers, files and lettersthe papers, files, and letters
Numbers & Exhibits
11001,100
five and a half daysfive-and-a-half days5 1/2 daysOther
That was a thousand dollars.That was $1,000.
He owed me 30 or $40.He owed me $30 or $40.He owed me 30 or 40 dollars.Other
7 to 800 customersseven to eight hundred customers7- to 800 customersOther
one through ten spelled, digits for 11 and upone through nine spelled, digits for 10 and upAlways use a word (1-99) when a number starts a sentence.Always use numbers with ages.Keep consistent with phrases like: 3 computers and 12 chairs. Use all numbers or all words in these cases.Don't adapt for consistency: three computers and 12 chairs
That was in the October 25th, 2022, letter.That was in the October 25th, 2022 letter.That was in the October 25, 2022, letter.That was in the October 25, 2022 letter.Other
8. Exhibits (Pick two total)
It is Bates-stamped PDXA213.It is Bates stamped PDXA213.
Any other comments about number and exhibit preferences:
Capitalization & Punctuation
Lower case for all using the word "number" where spoken. Examples: page number 2, line number 4, paragraph number 7, slide 18, section 8, etc.Lower case for all using the word "No." where spoken. Examples: page No. 2, line No. 2, paragraph No. 7, etc.Something different. Click to explain.
Always keep plaintiff and defendant lower case.Always keep plaintiff and defendant lower case unless using as a title before a name. Ex: Plaintiff Smith.Other
That's fine, Counsel. (Judge speaking to a particular attorney.)That's fine, counsel. (Judge speaking to a particular attorney.)Other
My question is when did you leave?My question is, when did you leave?My question is, When did you leave?My question is: When did you leave?Other
Did you see him in the car, at the office, in the lobby?Did you see him in the car? At the office? In the lobby?Did you see him in the car? at the office? in the lobby?
He didn't really care, so...He didn't really care, so --He didn't really care, so.Other
Objection. Lacks foundation. Vague and ambiguous.Objection. Lacks foundation, vague and ambiguous.Objection; lacks foundation, vague and ambiguous.Objection, lacks foundation, vague and ambiguous.Other
Quotes, Quotation Marks
She said it was, quote/unquote, "ridiculously expensive."She said it was "ridiculously expensive."She said it was, quote/unquote, ridiculously expensive.Other
Do you see on the form where it says "Invoice sent"?Do you see on the form where it says "invoice sent"?Do you see on the form where it says, "Invoice sent"?Do you see on the form where it says, "invoice sent"?Other
The email says, "Please return on Wednesday, and we will discuss it with the entire team."The email says: "Please return on Wednesday, and we will discuss it with the entire team."The email says: Please return on Wednesday, and we will discuss it with the entire team.Other
The document is called "Elements of Recovery."The document is called Elements of Recovery.
Turn to the "Rules and Regulations" section under "Company Policy."Turn to the Rules and Regulations section under Company Policy.Other
Did you say, hey, I need some help here?Did you say, "Hey, I need some help here"?Other
You need to give me a "yes" or a "no", not "uh-huh" or "huh-uh."You need to give me a yes or a no, not uh-huh or huh-uh.You need to give me a yes or a no, not "uh-huh" or "huh-uh."Other
1a) When I asked her, she said, "Cindy always files those applications."1b) When I asked her, she said Cindy always files those applications.1c) When I asked her, she said, Cindy always files those applications.2a) John later said, "I gave you the file." (Quoting John's words)2b) John later said, I gave you the file. (Quoting John's words)3a) Dr. Evans was like, "Yeah, you probably need surgery."3b) Dr. Evans was like, yeah, you probably need surgery.3c) Dr. Evans was like, Yeah, you probably need surgery.
8a. Explain anything you'd do differently from 8 here. Also explain anything else about quotations you want me to know.
Format & Style

I will learn a lot from looking at a sample transcript, so keeping this section shorter!
Clean up attorneys and judge: Don't need to add filler words ("you know", "okay") and false starts ("I did -- I did not say that.")Clean up the attorneys and judge except when it's video recorded.Don't clean up the attorneys or the judge.Something different (Explain below)
1a. Explain your verbatim style for attorneys and/or the judge here if you need to explain further.
Include false starts like "I -- I did -- I did that."Include false starts and repeats but only up to 2 repeats.Scopist doesn't need to include false starts that you haven't already written.Something different (Explain below)
2a. Explain your verbatim style for witnesses here if you need to explain further. Also include how your style changes, if at all, when session is video recorded.
After colloquyAfter exhibit is markedAfter court reporter clarificationAfter short recess and other parentheticalsOther
THE WITNESS: I don't know.A: I don't know.BY THE WITNESS: I don't know.
5. Court reporter clarifications: Explain how you handle simple clarifications. Do you include your words, just use a parenthetical, or neither? What about when the witness says something, you ask him to repeat, and he changes his answer from what I heard the first time?
Witness instructed not to answerInfo or documents requestedWitness to provide missing informationNone of theseOther
You want me to leave a hidden text/push pin for any parenthetical, exhibit blurb, examination heading, etc. I think might be missing or containing missing information.You want me to add any missing exhibit blurb, parenthetical, or missing examination heading for you but leave a note for you to checkIf the parenthetical is there but just needs info added (like the exhibit number on an exhibit blurb), I should go ahead and do that. No need to add a note to check.You want me to add missing parentheticals, exam headings, etc. No need for me to leave a note for you.Other
A Note About parentheticals: The sample transcript you send should show many of your common parentheticals, exhibit blurbs, et cetera. You may want to send an include file to me with all of those. This will be very helpful if you want me to add in ones that are missing or incomplete.
Any other preferences? Let me know additional Information here:
Should be Empty:

Court Reporter Preference Form

The Basics

Numbers & Exhibits

Capitalization & Punctuation

Quotes, Quotation Marks

Format & Style