What should a court reporter do if a deponent requests to go off the record?

When a deponent requests to go off the record, the court reporter must consider the protocols and ethical responsibilities surrounding the integrity of the record. It is standard practice for a court reporter to only comply with such a request if it has been directed by the court or counsel. This ensures that the official record remains intact and is not compromised by informal conversations or discussions that occur outside of the official proceedings.

Complying with the request only when directed by the court or counsel upholds the integrity of the legal process. It protects all parties involved, as there may be important information being discussed that should remain part of the official record for legal purposes. Moreover, court reporters have a duty to maintain accuracy and avoid misunderstandings about what is part of the recorded testimony.

The other choices fail to recognize the essential role of the court reporter in maintaining the correctness of the legal proceedings and the transcripts they produce. For instance, agreeing to the request immediately might lead to situations where critical information is lost, while checking with the judge could delay proceedings unnecessarily. Asking for a written request, though it may seem formal, does not address the immediate procedural requirements as effectively as confirming the request through the appropriate legal channels. Thus, understanding when and how to comply with requests to go off