Court Reporter Practice Exam

What must a court reporter do when they encounter background noise during a deposition?

1. Pause the recording until it stops

2. Include a note about the noise in the transcript

3. Ignore the noise and continue writing

4. Request the attorney to repeat statements

The correct answer is: Ignore the noise and continue writing

In the context of handling background noise during a deposition, the role of a court reporter is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the transcript. A court reporter is trained to capture all spoken words accurately, regardless of external distractions. Therefore, the appropriate course of action is to continue writing and transcribing the dialogue, as doing so ensures that the official record reflects everything that was said, even if there are interruptions or noise in the background. While it may seem logical to pause recording or request repetitions, these actions could result in gaps in the transcription or incomplete records. Consequently, maintaining focus and providing a complete and continuous account of the deposition is essential. This can help preserve the fidelity of the verbal exchanges and allow for better clarity during legal proceedings.