Professional Standards & Ethics Flashcards

A court reporter discovers mid-deposition that the witness is a close personal friend. What is the most ethically appropriate action?

Answer: Disclose the relationship to all parties and offer to withdraw

Reporters must disclose any relationship that could create an appearance of partiality and allow parties to decide whether to proceed.

Which principle underlies the prohibition against a court reporter having a financial interest in the outcome of a case?

Answer: Conflict of interest

A financial interest in case outcome creates a conflict of interest that compromises the reporter's neutrality.

An NCRA member is asked to provide a 'rough draft' transcript with a notation that it is unedited. Under NCRA ethics, this is:

Answer: Permissible as long as it is clearly labeled as a rough draft

Rough drafts are permissible when clearly labeled to prevent misuse of uncertified text.

A CRI candidate instructor discovers that a student has plagiarized a homework assignment. The best course of action is to:

Answer: Follow the institution's academic integrity policy and document the incident

Instructors must uphold academic integrity by following institutional policy and creating a documented record.

When a court reporter certifies a transcript, that certification attests to:

Answer: The accuracy of the transcription of the proceedings

Certification attests only to the accuracy of the transcription, not to the truthfulness of the testimony.

A reporter is pressured by a hiring agency to consistently charge below the minimum fee schedule. Ethically, the reporter should:

Answer: Refuse arrangements that require violating professional fee guidelines

Complying with improper fee arrangements can constitute an ethical violation and harm the profession's integrity.

Which of the following best describes the concept of 'impartiality' as applied to court reporters?

Answer: Providing identical services to all parties without favoring any side

Impartiality requires providing equal, unbiased service to all parties involved in the proceeding.