CSR Ethics, Professional Responsibility & Confidentiality 3

Question 1

A court reporter overhears confidential settlement negotiations between attorneys during a recess while still in the deposition suite. The reporter should:

Accepted Answer

Leave the room or make clear presence is noted so parties can speak privately

Answer

Court reporters should remove themselves from or signal their presence during off-record attorney discussions to protect privileged communications.

Question 2

An attorney asks a court reporter to alter the transcript to remove a damaging admission made by the attorney's own client. The reporter must:

Accepted Answer

Refuse; altering a certified transcript is a serious ethics violation

Answer

Altering a certified transcript at any party's request, regardless of consent, is fraud and a serious violation of court reporter ethics.

Question 3

Regarding social media, a court reporter should:

Accepted Answer

Avoid posting any information that could identify parties, cases, or confidential testimony

Answer

Court reporters must avoid any social media activity that could reveal case information, even anonymized details that may allow identification.

Question 4

Which action by a court reporter would constitute a conflict of interest?

Accepted Answer

Reporting a deposition for a company whose stock the reporter's spouse owns

Answer

A financial interest through a family member's stock holdings in a party to the litigation creates a conflict of interest requiring disclosure or recusal.

Question 5

A freelance court reporter is pressured by a regular client law firm to always make themselves available exclusively for that firm. This arrangement would be problematic because:

Accepted Answer

Exclusivity arrangements can compromise impartiality and violate ethics rules

Answer

Exclusive arrangements with one law firm can create a financial dependency that compromises a reporter's impartiality and independence.

(CSR) Certified Shorthand Reporter Practice Test

(CSR) Certified Shorthand Reporter Practice Test

CSR Ethics, Professional Responsibility & Confidentiality 3