Professional Ethics and Confidentiality
What the domain covers
This domain tests ethical duties: impartiality, confidentiality, conflicts, certification integrity, and proper handling of sealed or sensitive information. Oklahoma court reporters are officers of the court and are expected to protect the record and the parties.
Core rules
- Remain neutral; no ex parte coaching, no editing favorable to one side, no discussion of a pending case outside proper channels.
- Keep grand jury, juvenile, sealed, in camera, and protective-order material confidential; release only on court order or lawful subpoena.
- Certify only what you actually transcribed; do not alter a certified transcript without a court order and a record of the change.
- Disclose conflicts such as family, employment, or financial relationships with a party or counsel.
- Do not accept gifts or favors that could affect impartiality; avoid misleading advertising or claims of official endorsement.
- Retain notes and backup records according to law and court policy.
Worked example
After a sealed bench conference, an attorney emails the reporter: “Send me your rough notes for that conference.” The reporter does not send them. The conference was sealed; release requires a court order. The reporter may note the request and seek the judge’s direction. Reasoning: confidentiality attaches to the proceeding, and the reporter’s notes are part of the protected record.
Traps
Discussing testimony on social media; sending a transcript to the wrong party; altering a transcript after certification; accepting a holiday gift from counsel; failing to disclose that a relative is a party; treating “off the record” as permission to disclose.
Key points
- Neutrality bars ex parte coaching and one-sided editing.
- Sealed, juvenile, and grand jury material require court authorization before release.
- Certify only actual work and document any court-ordered change.
- Disclose relationships that could impair impartiality.
- Secure notes and files; “off the record” does not mean “public.”