What is a Carry-Over Line in court reporting?

A Carry-Over Line in court reporting refers to a line that begins a specified number of spaces (typically 5 or 10) from the left margin. This is an important standard that allows for better organization and readability of transcript content, particularly when a portion of text does not fit on the same line and needs to continue onto the next line. Using an indented line helps distinguish the continuation of thought or dialogue, making it clear to the reader that they are still consuming the same piece of information rather than moving to a new line or section entirely.

This formatting is crucial in transcripts where clarity is paramount, as it aids in maintaining the flow of dialogue and preventing confusion regarding speaker turns or narrative continuity.