What should a court reporter do if they see an attorney speaking with a juror?

The best course of action in this situation is for the court reporter to maintain discretion and not discuss the incident. This is crucial because a court reporter is expected to uphold the integrity of the judicial process, which includes respecting the confidentiality of jury discussions and interactions. Engaging in or intervening in the conversation could raise questions regarding the impartiality of both the juror and the attorney, possibly leading to complications in the trial.

Moreover, a court reporter's role is to observe and accurately document the proceedings without becoming involved in them. Maintaining discretion avoids any potential bias or influence on the jury. It also aligns with ethical guidelines that emphasize the importance of neutrality and professionalism within the courtroom context. While reporting the incident to the judge might seem appropriate, doing so could inadvertently escalate the matter without context, and ignoring it entirely would disregard the responsibility to uphold courtroom integrity. Therefore, the most responsible action is to maintain discretion and not discuss the interaction.