Can a CSR edit the spoken words during transcription?

A California Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR) is required to transcribe proceedings verbatim, capturing every spoken word accurately, without alteration. This standard is foundational to the role of a CSR, as maintaining the integrity of the record is crucial for legal proceedings. A verbatim transcription ensures that the original meaning and context of the dialogue is preserved, allowing all parties involved to reference the exact words used during the proceedings.

Editing for clarity, correcting grammar, or summarizing content would compromise the accuracy and fidelity of the transcription. Such alterations could lead to misunderstandings or misinterpretations of the record, which is why strict adherence to verbatim transcription is a professional obligation for CSRs. This is key to ensuring that legal records are reliable and can be depended upon in future legal contexts.