What is a primary task of a court reporter when a judge gives a ruling?

A primary task of a court reporter when a judge gives a ruling is to document the judge’s ruling verbatim as part of the official court record. This function is crucial for maintaining an accurate and comprehensive account of court proceedings. A verbatim record ensures that every word spoken by the judge is captured precisely, which is vital for appeals and maintaining the integrity of the judicial process. The accuracy of this transcription serves not only the parties involved in the case but also the legal system as a whole, providing an irrefutable account of what transpired in the courtroom.

In contrast, writing the ruling in their own words could introduce ambiguity or misinterpretation of the judge's intent, making it unsuitable as the official record. Summarizing the ruling also compromises the completeness of the record, as essential details and nuances may be lost. Announcing the ruling publicly is not a responsibility of the court reporter; this task typically falls to the judge or another court official. The court reporter’s role is strictly focused on accurate transcription of proceedings, making the documentation of the judge's ruling verbatim the correct answer.