Which circumstance would require a court reporter to adapt their approach during a case?

The need for a court reporter to adapt their approach during a case is crucial when witnesses provide testimony that contains complex legal terminology. This situation requires the reporter to be especially attentive and possibly employ different strategies to accurately capture the dialogue. Complex legal language can include specialized terms, jargon, or references that might not be familiar to someone without legal training.

In such instances, the court reporter may have to familiarize themselves with the specific terminology in advance or pause the proceedings to clarify any unclear terms to ensure the record is accurate. This adaptability is essential because the integrity of the transcript can significantly impact the legal process.

The other circumstances do not inherently necessitate an adaptive approach. For example, if a judge is absent, court proceedings may still continue under the authority of the court, and the reporter's fundamental role doesn't change. The presence of another reporter may lead to collaborating or sharing responsibilities, but it does not itself demand a significant adjustment in approach. Cases involving public figures may attract more attention, but that doesn't directly influence how a reporter captures the testimony unless it affects the content or manner of the testimonies being given.