Is a court reporter allowed to interpret a witness's demonstration during testimony?

A court reporter's primary role is to create an accurate and impartial transcript of court proceedings. They are trained to record spoken words verbatim, including gestures and demonstrations, without providing interpretation or any personal input. This is crucial because the court relies on an objective record of what transpired during the testimony, which includes not only the verbal exchanges but also how the witnesses express themselves through their body language and actions.

Interpreting a witness's demonstration could lead to biases or misinterpretations of the witness's intent, which undermines the accuracy and integrity of the court record. The responsibility of interpretation typically falls within the realm of legal professionals, such as attorneys or judges, who can analyze and address the demonstrations contextually as they relate to the case.

While options suggesting scenarios where interpretation could take place might appear practical, they do not align with the ethical obligations of a court reporter to maintain neutrality and avoid influencing the record. Thus, the correct understanding of a court reporter's role is that they may only report actions without interpretation.