Which of the following is NOT an essential ethical standard for court reporters?

The correct response highlights that personal judgment is not considered an essential ethical standard for court reporters. In the realm of court reporting, the primary focus is on providing an accurate and impartial record of proceedings. This means that court reporters must adhere rigorously to established ethical guidelines that prioritize impartiality, respect for client confidentiality, and objectivity.

Impartiality is vital because it ensures that court reporters do not have personal biases or affiliations that could influence their work. Respecting client confidentiality is essential to maintain the trust and integrity of the reporting process, as court reporters often handle sensitive information. Objectivity is similarly crucial, as it involves presenting a neutral and factual account of the events being reported.

In contrast, personal judgment implies the insertion of an individual's opinions or biases into the reporting process, which directly contradicts the principles of impartiality and objectivity that are foundational to the profession. Thus, emphasizing personal judgment would undermine the core duties of a court reporter and could lead to skewed or unreliable transcripts.