What must a court reporter disclose if they know someone present at a deposition?

A court reporter has a professional and ethical responsibility to maintain the integrity of the proceedings. If they know someone present at a deposition, it is crucial for them to disclose their relationship to the parties involved. This is to ensure transparency and to prevent any potential bias or conflicts of interest that could affect the testimony or the proceedings.

Disclosing the relationship helps all parties involved to assess whether the court reporter's objectivity could be influenced by personal connections. This practice is essential in upholding the standards of professionalism within legal settings and maintaining the trust placed in the court reporting profession. It exemplifies the ethical obligation that court reporters have to safeguard the fairness of the judicial process. Failing to disclose such information could lead to complications down the line, including questions about the validity of the recorded testimony and overall integrity of the legal proceedings.