Court Reporter Practice Exam

What should you do if you overhear off-the-record discussions between a lawyer and a witness?

1. Ignore it and continue working

2. Take notes for future reference

3. Excuse yourself and walk away immediately

4. Report it to the judge

The correct answer is: Excuse yourself and walk away immediately

Excusing yourself and walking away immediately is the appropriate action to take if you overhear off-the-record discussions between a lawyer and a witness. This choice aligns with the ethical obligations of a court reporter to maintain the integrity of the proceedings and to respect the confidentiality of communications that occur outside the record. When discussions occur off the record, they are typically not intended to be heard or recorded by court personnel. By excusing yourself, you safeguard the confidentiality of that conversation and ensure that you do not inadvertently influence or bias the judicial process. The other options, such as ignoring the conversation or taking notes, could compromise the integrity of the legal process and potentially lead to ethical violations. Reporting the matter to the judge may also be seen as inappropriate unless there is a specific legal cause that necessitates such action. Therefore, the best choice is to remove yourself from the situation, preserving the professionalism required in court proceedings.