Who may pre-mark prosecution and defense exhibits?

• A. Court reporter alone
• B. Court reporter and trial counsel
• C. Judge and clerk
• D. Defendant and prosecutor

Answer: (B)

Pre-marking exhibits is all about giving each piece of evidence a clear, consistent identifier before it comes into court. The court reporter handles the actual labeling and numbering to keep an accurate, auditable record, while trial counsel provides and verifies which items will be offered by which side and how they will be used. This collaboration ensures there’s no confusion during testimony, maintains the integrity of the record, and helps prevent last-minute disputes over what is being shown. The judge and clerk manage court operations, but they don’t typically perform the marking themselves, and it wouldn’t be appropriate for the defendant and prosecutor to handle the pre-marking alone, since that could compromise neutrality and labeling consistency. So, the court reporter working with trial counsel is the established practice.