Court Reporter Practice Exam

How many characters per line are generally used for pitch in court reporting?

1. 12 or 14

2. 9 or 10

3. 15 or 16

4. 7 or 8

The correct answer is: 9 or 10

In court reporting, the standard practice is to use 9 or 10 characters per line when it comes to pitch. This standardization is crucial for ensuring that the text produced is legible and fits within the margins of the page or screen. Using a pitch of 9 or 10 characters per line allows for a balance between having enough text to convey meaning without overcrowding the line, which can lead to errors or misinterpretations. Additionally, this range allows court reporters to efficiently use their equipment, ensuring clarity and consistency in transcriptions. Maintaining this pitch helps in creating transcriptions that are easier to read and review, both during the reporting process and for later reference. This practice is informed by the need for readability in legal documentation, which requires precision and clarity. While other character counts could theoretically be used, they do not align with the established conventions in the profession that prioritize readability and effective transcription methods.