What is a common ethical obligation of court reporters?

A fundamental ethical obligation of court reporters is to ensure accurate and unbiased reporting. This principle is crucial because court reporters play a vital role in the legal process by providing an accurate and reliable record of proceedings. Their transcription must reflect what was said in the court with precision, as these records can influence the outcomes of legal cases and serve as historical documents.

By maintaining impartiality and objectivity, court reporters uphold the integrity of the judicial system, ensuring that all parties receive a fair and accurate representation of the proceedings. This ethical standard is emphasized in various professional codes of conduct for court reporters.

Promoting the interests of one party over another compromises the neutrality required of court reporters and undermines the judicial process. Likewise, limiting communication only to attorneys overlooks the broader responsibilities court reporters have in serving the court and the public. Ignoring client requests if inconvenient would not only be unprofessional but would also hinder the quality and timeliness of the court record. Thus, the obligation to provide accurate and unbiased reporting is the cornerstone of a court reporter's role.