Incompetent in a professional capacity, a Kansas court reporter was reprimanded

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A court reporter in Kansas has been publicly reprimanded by the Supreme Court due to her professional incompetency.

In a court reporter discipline case, CCR No. 1721, the Kansas Supreme Court publicly reprimanded Meghan Rogers for violating the Rules of the State Board of Examiners of Court Reporters.

In July 2021, court records revealed that a formal complaint had been lodged in Shawnee County. Rogers received a notice of hearing following allegations that she had not submitted an expedited transcript to the Court of Appeals within the specified timeframe and had also missed completion deadlines. The rule violations in question encompassed the following:

    • Board rule No. 9.F.2 – Professional incompetency
    • Board Rule No. 9.F.3 – Knowingly making misleading, deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations as a court reporter
    • Board Rule No. 9.F.6 – Fraud in representations relating to skill or ability as a court reporter
    • Board rule No. 9.F.11 – Refusal to cooperate in an investigation conducted by the Board or obstructing such investigation

According to court records, Rogers was informed about the transcripts that needed to be expedited in May 2020. Despite several motions to extend the deadline, it was not until February 5 that she finally submitted the completed transcript, which was originally due in June. It is worth noting that a complaint was filed against her in December, even before the transcript was finished.

The Court found that Rogers violated the professional incompetency rule and recommended a six-month suspension. This decision was based on the fact that Rogers did not contest the facts presented during the hearing and failed to provide any evidence that justified the delay in the transcript.

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The Supreme Court acknowledged that Rogers disputed the result, but it determined that there was compelling and conclusive evidence to reprimand her.

According to the Kansas Supreme Court Rule 367, the majority expressed their belief that Rogers’ actions and failures related to the untimely transcript demonstrated a lack of professionalism and professional incompetency.

Some members of the bench expressed their opinion that they would not consider Rogers’ behavior as professional incompetency.

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