Court reporters play a crucial role in legal proceedings, including zoom depositions. They are responsible for transcribing the proceedings, ensuring that a accurate and complete record is kept. Here are five things that court reporters wish attorneys knew about zoom depositions:
1- Please invest in an audio headset.
It's been three years into the pandemic and it's astounding that some attorneys still show up to video depositions with poor audio quality. Investing in a good headset is a must. Amazon has many great options that cost under $50, such as the Plamtronics Blackwire 3320, which is small, wired, and provides consistent results. Remember, you are spending thousands of dollars on a court reporter and possibly a videographer for your deposition. Don't ruin their efforts by showing up with bad audio. Court reporting is a demanding and mentally strenuous job, and it becomes even more difficult when the audio quality is poor. Make sure to invest in a good headset to ensure a smooth and successful deposition.
2- Ensure that you have a reliable internet provider and good quality modem and WiFi to support your video deposition.
To ensure a smooth and successful video deposition, follow the rule of three: 1) Make sure you have a high-speed internet plan with at least 50 MB download and 20 MB upload speeds, especially if you plan on sharing exhibits. 2) Invest in a reliable router that is recommended by your internet provider. 3) Get a good quality WiFi router, which can often be combined with the modem. Once you have all three components set up, test your connection speed and stability. Remember to re-test your connection if you move to a different room.
3- Can we see your face please?
It's important for attorneys to center and zoom in on themselves during a video deposition in order to ensure that court reporters and other participants are able to see their face clearly. This can help to facilitate effective communication and ensure that everyone is able to see and understand what is being said during the deposition. To center and zoom in on yourself, you can use the camera controls in your video conferencing software to adjust the framing of the shot. This can help to ensure that you are clearly visible to all participants, which can be especially important if you are using hand gestures or other visual aids to communicate during the deposition. By taking the time to center and zoom in on yourself, you can help to ensure that the deposition runs smoothly and that all participants are able to see and understand what is being said.
4- Remember, it is your deposition, so take control of the flow and ensure that it runs smoothly.
It is not uncommon for witnesses to be unfamiliar with the proper procedure during a deposition, especially if it is their first time. Stress and nerves can cause them to interrupt or speak over the attorney asking the questions. This can be frustrating for the court reporter, who is responsible for transcribing the proceedings, and can make it difficult to produce a clear record. As the attorney, it is important to take control of the deposition and ensure that the witness follows proper procedure. If necessary, gently remind the witness to wait for the question to be completed before answering.
Dealing with difficult opposing counsel can also be stressful for the court reporter, as they may not care about maintaining a clear record. If the opposing counsel is disrupting the procedures, it may be necessary to stop the deposition and seek sanctions under Rule 30(d)(2). Remember, you are paying for the court reporter's services and it is important to have a clear and accurate transcript of the proceedings.
5- Share the exhibits with the court reporter via the chat feature or directly through email.
It's important to remember that court reporters need the exhibits to finalize the transcript, and they may also rely on them to help with spelling and other details. Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for attorneys to forget to send the exhibits to the court reporter after the deposition. To avoid this issue, it's a good practice to both drop the exhibits in the Zoom chat feature as you go, and to email all of the exhibits to the reporter at the end of the deposition. This ensures that the court reporter has access to the exhibits, even if their connection was disrupted or they are using a device that doesn't allow them to access the chat feature.
6- Breaks! and more breaks?
While breaks can be helpful for everyone during a deposition, it's important to be mindful of the specific needs of your court reporter. Some may prefer a break every hour, while others may be able to go for longer periods without a break. It's important to pay attention to the intensity and difficulty of the deposition, as well as any challenges that may be posed by a witness with an accent. It's also important to remember to schedule a lunch break for your court reporter, as they may not have the opportunity to eat during the deposition. By being considerate of your court reporter's needs, you can help to ensure that they are able to stay focused and produce an accurate transcript.
In Conclusion
It is not uncommon for court reporters to refuse to work for attorneys who are not mindful of their needs and concerns. Court reporters play a crucial role in the legal process, and it's important for attorneys to show them respect and consideration. By being considerate of a court reporter's needs, such as providing breaks as needed and being respectful of their time and work, attorneys can help to ensure that they are able to produce an accurate and high-quality transcript. On the other hand, if an attorney is not mindful of these issues, it can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction on the part of the court reporter, which can ultimately impact the quality of the transcript and the success of the deposition. Therefore, it is important for attorneys to be mindful of these issues in order to ensure the success of their depositions and the quality of the final transcript.
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