Texas Court Reporter Practice Exam

Which of the following describes a condition when a court reporter may become a witness?

1. Transcription errors

2. Confidentiality breaches

3. To clarify their own notes

4. When summoned by a judge

The correct answer is: When summoned by a judge

The situation in which a court reporter may become a witness is typically when summoned by a judge. In the legal context, court reporters are responsible for providing an accurate record of the proceedings, and their notes may be needed to clarify factual matters or verify what transpired during proceedings. If a judge determines that the court reporter's testimony could assist in understanding an issue related to the case, they can summon the reporter to testify. In contrast, while transcription errors may raise questions about the accuracy of the record, this does not inherently mean that the court reporter will become a witness; rather, it might lead to a review or correction process. Confidentiality breaches refer to violations of the duty to maintain the privacy of proceedings, which could lead to legal ramifications for the reporter but not typically result in their role as a witness. Finally, the need to clarify one's own notes might suggest an attempt to enhance the record, but this situation does not directly involve the court reporter becoming a witness in a legal capacity.