Which official role may pause court recording at any time?

The role that has the authority to pause court recording at any time is the judge. In court proceedings, the judge serves as the presiding officer and has the ultimate responsibility for maintaining order and ensuring that the trial or hearing proceeds appropriately. When it comes to the official court record, the judge may decide to pause recording for various reasons, such as addressing a legal issue, handling a motion outside the jury's presence, or allowing for a break in the proceedings.

While court reporters and attorneys have important roles in the court, they do not hold the authority to stop the recording without the judge's consent. The reporter's responsibility is to create an accurate transcript of the proceedings, so they typically would not pause recording unless directed by the judge. Other parties involved, such as the defense attorney or any other attorneys present, may request a pause, but ultimately, it is the judge who has the decision-making power to approve such a request. In short, the judge's role is integral to controlling the court proceedings, including when to pause the recording.