AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT a universal method of court reporting?

1. The Digital Court Reporter

2. The Court Monitor

3. The Legal Assistant

4. The Stenographic Reporter

The correct answer is: The Legal Assistant

The correct choice is that a Legal Assistant is not considered a universal method of court reporting. Legal assistants, also known as paralegals, typically support attorneys in legal practice rather than serve as methods of capturing or recording court proceedings. Their responsibilities may include document preparation, legal research, and administrative tasks, but they do not function as reporters who transcribe or document what occurs in court hearings or trials. In contrast, the other options—Digital Court Reporters, Court Monitors, and Stenographic Reporters—are all recognized methods of court reporting. Digital Court Reporters utilize technology to audio record proceedings, which can then be transcribed later. Court Monitors, sometimes referred to as electronic monitors or court clerks, oversee the recording of official transcripts and ensure accuracy and integrity. Stenographic Reporters use specialized equipment to create verbatim transcripts of spoken words during legal proceedings. All of these methods are fundamental to the practice of court reporting, making the Legal Assistant the outlier in this context.