What should a court reporter do when faced with a potential conflict of interest?

When a court reporter faces a potential conflict of interest, seeking guidance from a supervisor about handling the situation is crucial. This approach emphasizes the importance of transparency and maintaining ethical standards in the profession. By consulting a supervisor, the court reporter can receive professional advice on how to proceed while ensuring that all parties involved and the integrity of the legal process are respected.

Addressing conflicts of interest is important because they can compromise the impartiality that court reporters must uphold. Seeking guidance helps ensure that the court reporter's actions align with legal ethical standards and the policies of the reporting agency or court. This demonstrates a proactive and responsible attitude rather than attempting to deal with the conflict in isolation, which can lead to potential ethical breaches and consequences.

In contrast, ignoring the relationship or avoiding it entirely could lead to unresolved issues that might affect the fairness of the proceedings. Continuing with the case as planned without addressing the conflict could further jeopardize the integrity and judicial process. Thus, obtaining guidance is the most prudent and ethical course of action.