Can a court reporter explain something to a witness or deponent during a recess?

The appropriate response regarding a court reporter's interaction with a witness or deponent during a recess is rooted in the ethical standards and the role of a court reporter in legal settings. A court reporter serves as an impartial officer of the court, responsible for accurately capturing the spoken word during proceedings without influencing the testimony or the proceedings themselves.

Allowing a court reporter to interact with a witness or deponent—even during a recess—could potentially compromise their neutrality and the integrity of the record. It is crucial that witnesses and deponents are not provided with clarifications or context that might affect their perspectives or testimonies. The role of explaining any points of confusion or clarification should strictly adhere to the legal representation, typically the attorneys involved in the case, who are responsible for guiding their witnesses on matters pertinent to the legal proceedings.

Interactions that can create bias or alter a witness’s statements stray from the court reporter's fundamental duty to remain unobtrusive and impartial. Thus, the stance that a court reporter cannot interact with witnesses supports the integrity of the judicial process and ensures that the testimony remains pure and untainted.