NYS Applying Rules to Situations 4

Question 1

Court rules specify that only licensed attorneys may approach the bench. During a hearing, a self-represented litigant stands and walks toward the judge's bench. Court Officer Simmons should:

Accepted Answer

Intercept the litigant and instruct him to address the court from counsel table

Answer

Allow it since the person has the right to represent themselves

Answer

Ask the judge for permission before stopping the litigant

Answer

Remove the litigant from the courtroom

Question 2

A policy states that court officers must not use personal cell phones while on post. Court Officer Rivera's personal phone rings while she is stationed at a courtroom door. She sees it is her child's school calling. She should:

Accepted Answer

Silence the phone and, if necessary, request a temporary relief officer before leaving her post to return the call

Answer

Answer the call briefly since it may be an emergency

Answer

Step away from her post to answer the call privately

Answer

Ignore the call entirely since personal calls are prohibited on duty

Question 3

A courtroom rule prohibits food and drink except water in closed containers. During a recess, Court Officer Torres observes a juror drinking from a sports drink bottle. The officer should:

Accepted Answer

Inform the juror that only water in closed containers is permitted and ask her to dispose of the drink

Answer

Ignore it since it is recess and the rule only applies during court sessions

Answer

Allow it since sports drinks are mostly water

Answer

Confiscate the drink and file a misconduct report against the juror

Question 4

Regulations require that all courtroom exhibits be tagged and logged by a court officer before being shown to a jury. An attorney hands a document directly to the jury foreperson without logging it first, claiming it was already admitted into evidence. Court Officer Patel should:

Accepted Answer

Intercede and require the exhibit to be logged per procedure before juror handling

Answer

Allow it since admitted evidence has already been processed

Answer

Ask the judge to rule on whether the log requirement applies to admitted evidence

Answer

Let it proceed and note it in the daily log

Question 5

A rule states that all courtroom visitors must sign a visitor log upon entry. During a busy morning session, a large group enters quickly and Court Officer Quinn is overwhelmed. Several visitors slip past without signing. After the session begins, Officer Quinn should:

Accepted Answer

Note the gap in the log and ask unsigned visitors to sign during the next available recess without disrupting proceedings

Answer

Ignore the oversight since the session has already started

Answer

Stop the session to remove unsigned visitors

Answer

Complete the log himself by estimating who entered

Question 6

Court policy requires that a court officer be present whenever a judge speaks with jurors outside the courtroom. A judge steps into the hallway and begins informally chatting with two jurors. Court Officer Caldwell is nearby. She should:

Accepted Answer

Position herself nearby and remain present for the conversation per policy

Answer

Remain where she is since the conversation appears casual and harmless

Answer

Interrupt the conversation and remind the judge the meeting must occur in the courtroom

Answer

Notify a supervisor and wait for instructions before acting

Question 7

A policy states that court officers must submit use-of-force reports within four hours of any incident. Court Officer Brooks used force to restrain a combative defendant at 9:00 AM. At 12:45 PM, he has not yet written the report because he has been busy with other duties. He should:

Accepted Answer

Submit the report immediately since the deadline is 1:00 PM

Answer

Complete the report by the end of his shift since it will still be the same day

Answer

Ask a supervisor to extend the deadline due to his workload

Answer

Have a colleague write the report on his behalf