What type of cases does criminal court reporting address?

Criminal court reporting specifically focuses on documenting the legal proceedings related to prosecutions for offenses against the law. This includes a wide range of activities such as arraignments, trials, pleas, and sentencing hearings, which pertain to criminal allegations made by the state or government against individuals or entities. The primary role of court reporters in these settings is to create an accurate and verbatim record of what transpires during these proceedings, which is critical for appeals, legal documentation, and maintaining an accurate historical record of the case.

In contrast, the other choices address different legal domains. Business disputes generally fall under civil law and are not the focus of criminal court reporting. Civil matters, such as lawsuits between individuals for damages, are also outside the scope of criminal court reporting. Family disputes typically involve legal matters related to marriage, divorce, child custody, and similar issues, which are handled in family law courts rather than criminal courts. Thus, the essential function of criminal court reporting is to chronicle legal actions that entail violations of criminal law, making this choice the most appropriate and accurate response.