Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 656 - Certified Court Reporters
Overview of NAC Chapter 656 — Certified Court Reporters
NAC Chapter 656 governs court reporters in Nevada. It sets rules for:
Certification – who can be a court reporter.
Professional conduct – how reporters must behave ethically.
Transcript preparation – how records of proceedings should be maintained.
Firm operations – rules for court reporting companies.
Discipline – consequences for violating the rules.
The rules work in conjunction with state statutes (NRS 656) to ensure that court records are accurate, timely, and impartial.
Key Provisions
1. Certification Requirements
Must pass an examination on court procedures, legal terminology, and reporting techniques.
Applicants must demonstrate honesty and integrity; cheating or falsifying records is prohibited.
Certification is required to practice in Nevada.
2. Professional Conduct
Court reporters must:
Remain impartial and accurate.
Avoid conflicts of interest, and disclose any that exist.
Not accept significant gifts or favors from attorneys, parties, or insurers.
Maintain confidentiality of all court proceedings.
3. Transcript Preparation
Must report all spoken words accurately, unless designated off-the-record.
Transcripts must follow standard formatting (pages, margins, numbering).
Original transcripts and copies must be delivered promptly to the requesting party.
4. Firm Requirements
Court reporting firms must employ at least one certified reporter or designate a certified representative.
Reporters cannot work for an unlicensed firm unless exceptions apply for out-of-state work.
5. Discipline
Violations can lead to:
Suspension or revocation of certification.
Fines or probation.
Formal reprimand in cases of unprofessional conduct.
Grounds for discipline include:
Falsifying or omitting parts of a transcript.
Conflict of interest not disclosed.
Accepting improper gratuities.
Operating without a valid license.
Failing to deliver transcripts in a timely manner.
Illustrative Case Examples
Here are five hypothetical but realistic cases showing how NAC 656 is applied:
Case 1 — Failure to Accurately Report
Situation: A reporter intentionally omits testimony unfavorable to a client and certifies the transcript as accurate.
Outcome: This violates professional conduct rules. The reporter could be suspended or lose certification because transcripts must reflect the full record.
Case 2 — Conflict of Interest
Situation: A reporter is related to an attorney in the case but does not disclose this to the court or parties.
Outcome: Failure to disclose a conflict violates ethical standards. The reporter could face disciplinary action, including probation or certification revocation.
Case 3 — Improper Gratuities
Situation: A reporter regularly accepts expensive gifts from a law firm they work with frequently.
Outcome: Accepting such gifts is considered unprofessional. The reporter may be sanctioned or fined, and repeated offenses could lead to loss of license.
Case 4 — Reporting for an Unlicensed Firm
Situation: A reporter works for a court reporting company not registered with the Nevada Board.
Outcome: Operating with an unlicensed firm is a violation. Disciplinary measures could include fines and potential suspension of certification.
Case 5 — Late Transcript Delivery
Situation: A reporter repeatedly delays transcript delivery, causing a party to miss appeal deadlines.
Outcome: Although timelines may not be precisely defined, repeated failure to deliver in a timely manner is unprofessional. Sanctions may include reprimands, probation, or other corrective actions.
Summary
NAC Chapter 656 ensures that certified court reporters in Nevada:
Are properly trained and licensed.
Maintain high ethical and professional standards.
Produce accurate and timely transcripts.
Work within regulated firms.
Violations of these rules can have serious consequences, including fines, suspension, or loss of certification. The rules exist to protect the integrity of Nevada’s judicial process.
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