Court reporters typically take verbatim reports of speeches, conversations, legal proceedings, meetings, and other events when written accounts of spoken words are necessary for correspondence, records, or legal proof. Court reporters play a critical role not only in judicial proceedings, but at every meeting where the spoken word must be preserved as a written transcript. They are responsible for ensuring a complete, accurate, and secure legal record. In addition to preparing and protecting the legal record, many court reporters assist judges and trial attorneys in a variety of ways, such as organizing and searching for information in the official record or making suggestions to judges and attorneys regarding courtroom administration and procedure.

(a) attend court sessions and make a full record of the proceedings unless excused by agreement of the parties;
(b) take all exhibits offered in evidence during a proceeding and ensure that they are marked;
(c) file all exhibits with the trial court clerk after a proceeding ends;
(d) perform other acts relating to the reporter's or recorder's official duties, as the trial court directs.

(1) the number and style of the case before the court;
(2) the name of each person speaking;
(3) the event being recorded such as the voir dire, the opening statement, direct and cross-examinations, and bench conferences;
(4) each exhibit offered, admitted, or excluded;
(5) the time of day of each event; and
(6) the index number on the recording device showing where each event is recorded;

(c) after a proceeding ends, file with the appeals courts the original log; (d) have the original recording stored to ensure that it is preserved and is accessible; and( f) ensure that no one gains access to the original recording without the court's written order.