9.4 Order of Proceedings and the Reporter's Role

Sequence supports anticipation

The reporter studies likely order to prepare microphone coverage and annotations. Sequence does not grant authority to correct the presiding official. If a hearing proceeds differently, capture what actually occurs and follow instructions.

Civil or criminal trial pattern

A simplified trial may include:

1. Call of case and appearances.
2. Preliminary matters and motions.
3. Jury selection for a jury trial.
4. Opening statements.
5. Proponent's evidence through witnesses and exhibits.
6. Opposing evidence, with rebuttal or surrebuttal as allowed.
7. Motions at close of evidence.
8. Closing arguments.
9. Jury instructions and deliberation, or judge's consideration.
10. Verdict or findings and post-trial matters.

Criminal terminology uses prosecution and defendant; civil cases use plaintiff/petitioner and defendant/respondent depending on action. Some phases occur outside the jury's presence. Position coverage for witness stand, lectern, counsel tables, bench, and voir dire. Track sidebars and in-camera sessions under court direction.

Hearing pattern

A hearing may begin with case call, appearances, purpose, preliminary issues, argument or sworn evidence, exhibits, questions from the court, ruling, and scheduling. Some courts rule later in writing. Do not announce an outcome that was not stated. If several cases are called sequentially, close and label each session clearly.

Deposition pattern

A deposition commonly includes appearances and stipulations, witness identification and oath, direct examination by noticing counsel, cross-examination and further rounds, exhibit handling, reserved or certified questions, transcript review request, orders, and close. Rules or agreement can change this. The reporter marks the speaker and question-answer sequence, tracks objections without adjudicating, and records the close time.

Arbitration pattern

Arbitration may include preliminary conference matters, opening statements, claimant's case, respondent's case, counterclaims, witness and exhibit evidence, closing arguments or briefs, and later award. The neutral may permit a flexible order. Confirm whether the transcript remains open for later submissions and who controls the record.

Meeting pattern

A formal meeting can include call to order, roll or attendance, approval of agenda and minutes, reports, old and new business, motions, debate, vote, public comment, recess, and adjournment. Capture speaker identity and exact motion or vote when a verbatim record is required. The chair, not the reporter, recognizes speakers and rules on order.

Reporter role by phase

Deviations and uncertainty

If counsel begins testimony before the oath, do not secretly insert an oath marker. Prompt the authorized official if procedure permits and accurately record what occurred. If a witness is recalled, create a clear transition. If a judge takes a matter under advisement, do not label it granted or denied.

When an unplanned remote participant joins, identify and test them before relying on their speech if directed. When the proceeding moves to another room, protect files and re-test. Anticipation helps the reporter notice these transition risks.

Exam approach

Select the answer that recognizes the forum and preserves actual sequence. A reporter may remind participants of a capture need, but should not tell a judge which witness comes next, direct counsel's examination, or decide when evidence closes.

Exam application

During a deposition, counsel recalls the witness after transcript orders were discussed and asks new questions about another exhibit. The reporter should mark the return to testimony, confirm record status, track the exhibit, and revisit closing items after the actual final question. A familiar sequence helps anticipate tasks but must not cause the reporter to announce closure too early. The record follows what happened, including deviations, not the outline the reporter expected at the start.

Review checkpoint

Transitions deserve their own verification. When a proceeding moves from testimony to a sidebar, from public to sealed, from one witness to another, or from primary to backup equipment, state or log the boundary and confirm the new capture path.

At final close, ask whether review was requested, transcript or audio was ordered, exhibits remain in custody, and another session follows. A premature close can split a witness or leave unrecorded instructions; a careless continuation can mix the next matter. Sequence knowledge is most useful at boundaries, where identity and record status are most likely to change.