Signaling a time out?

As a court reporter, you are crucial to the proceedings; lawyers and judges might not like it, but if you really need to take a break, one of the best things that you can do is to call for a time out using the T that they use to signal needing conference time in a sporting event.

Answered by mary C {483}
4/25/2010 8:10:15 PM

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The previous commenter nailed the answer - the best thing to do is to show a sports-like T if you need a break. It will get you far better results than merely shifting uncomfortably or even speaking out - and it's less disruptive to what's going on in the courtroom.

Answered by Monyeenlb {273}
5/6/2010 10:57:56 PM

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In my 15 years of reporting, I have only asked for a break a handful of times (when it had been over a couple hours). If they are in serious questioning, I have written on a Post-it and stuck it in front of them break when convenient, please or if it's more relaxed, showing the T to any counsel that is looking at me or just leaning in when they are pausing and asking to take a break when they get to a good spot to take a recess.

Answered by jeanese {2363}
5/10/2010 10:07:50 PM

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I watch for the body language of others in the room. Enough shifting by them will surely lead to a break, which sometimes is often relished by me.

But to be honest, I prefer to keep going. More pages. I can go and go and go...

If you're on video, a break is coming enivitably every 1.5 to 2 hours, in which case I'd try to hold off on physically asking for one.

I think I've only asked for a break when I was asked and I could tell they would keep going for many, many more hours if I didn't go to the restroom right then...lol!

I feel silly when they say, Oh, I'm sure the reporter needs a break. Okay. What am I supposed to do, stretch and go for a walk, if the break is all for me? I find myself saying, I'm okay. I'm used to all day. I can rest when I'm off the record.