Savvy attorneys realize a court reporter can be an indispensable resource in evaluating a witness and trial prep in general. While at one time all courtrooms supplied a trained professional to document proceedings in detail, budget cuts and changing priorities have left many legal experts on their own when it comes to securing a reliable transcript of a trial or court hearing.
Court reports offer an unbiased, high-quality record of witness testimony, lawyer motions and objections, and judicial rulings that provide invaluable information as the trial continues or the verdict is appealed at a later date.
What an Experienced Court Reporter Does
Court reporters provide real-time access to a transcript of depositions, hearings and trial proceedings. Using modern technology, they create a written record of every word said during a legal proceedings, including witness questioning in front of a jury or judge. Court reporters are often present during depositions in order to capture the details of testimony as a case unfolds.
Many who work as court reporters are members of the National Court Reporters Association, a body that mandates a code of ethics. Trusted court reporters are unbiased recorders of information and prohibited from showing favor to one side or another. In addition, career court reporters maintain professional decorum by acting professionally at all times, showing little emotion during proceedings and remaining focused on the task at hand.
In cases where witness testimony is central to an attorney’s argument, court transcripts preserve and thus permit detailed cross-examination and impeachment of a witness with his or her own words. When the court record is absent, a witness can simply forget the precise account given during a previous day’s testimony. One person’s version of events may be contrary to another’s. Transcripts are an invaluable tool for lawyers who want to get to the core of what happened.
Talented court reporters offer language and translation services for live testimony and transcribed documents. All members of the profession receive training in legal proceedings and legal language in order to do their jobs efficiently. Multilingual court reporters have the added ability to translate from one language to another with the nuance of the legal environment. Also, an experienced court reporter learns the case and will build a database to make subsequent depositions to make a case run more smoothly.
Learn more about Magna’s language services.
How a Court Reporter Can Be a Difference Maker
Witnesses are often deposed before trial. This is a form of questioning that takes place outside of court, in the presence of attorneys from both sides. Witnesses are under oath and sworn to tell the truth, by the court’s agent- the court reporter, but lawyers can ask questions that may not be admissible under court rules. A deposition is an invaluable way for both sides to get at the information they are looking for and to plan trial strategy.
In order to use this deposition for maximum effect during a trial, lawyers want to present a witness with the testimony provided at a previous date. This is almost impossible without proof of previous testimony. Court reporting is more effective than a poor audio recording, since attorneys can zero in on certain words and phrases the witness used. In addition, relying on recording technology alone is actually time-consuming and more expensive, since a written transcript of an audio recording must still be produced. These written transcripts are also used in court briefs submitted by the parties.
In order to get a good deposition, court reporters can work with legal counsel to ensure the information is conveyed clearly. While remaining objective and professional, court reporters can request that parties refrain from talking over one another and speak clearly so no vital details are missed.
Court Reporters and Technology
Although court reporting has existed for many decades, it has evolved as technology has changed. Many court reporters use a stenotype machine to transcribe proceedings, but it has many modern modifications. Recent advances include connecting the court reporter’s device to a laptop to create real-time closed captions of the testimony or for the benefit of those with hearing impairment.
Some court reporters do their jobs over an internet live stream, allowing them to provide the same services without being in the same room. This is invaluable for depositions taking place in remote areas where it may be difficult to set up proceedings. Use of internet streaming depositions can also be a cost saver as travel costs are not necessary as well as time for travel is saved.
In any event, modern court reporters have extensive training and experience in the technology that makes their job easier and more efficient. Unlike some industries where technology has lagged behind, court reporting has embraced new ways of transcribing and saving information so it can be used in a legal context.
Learn More About Court Reporting Services
Court reporters are respected members of legal teams and the court system. For most, the profession is a long-term career that involves ongoing training and skill development. As resources provided by courts decrease because of declining budgets, law firms and lawyers often have to step in to fill the gap and arrange for their own services.
Given the importance of court reporting, it is essential that you choose not only skilled and experienced individuals, but a firm with extensive resources and a history of taking on the most qualified members of the profession. To learn more about your options for court reporting, virtual depositions, translation and video services, contact Magna today.
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