Which Type of Court Reporting Services Are Best?

During legal trials, court reporters assist the judicial system in converting spoken speech into text. The reporter also generates official verbatim transcripts that attorneys, judges, and litigants may utilize. 

Court reporters play an essential part in legal processes by keeping the record  of everything that happens. These employees are in charge of recording depositions, trials, and other legal events accurately, completely, and securely.

Reporters play a critical role in the legal world, and they have arguably the most important job in a courtroom. Without them, attorneys, attorneys, and litigants would be unable to access a trial record, which is essential in appeals and other court matters. 

 What Are Court Reporting Services?

Court reporting services are the deposition services provided by a court reporter. It’s one of the most stressful jobs in the legal field, as court reporters’ errors or misinterpretations can jeopardize an entire case. This responsibility is why they must meticulously and promptly write down every word and action that occurs throughout a proceeding.

Court reporters work in different environments, but most of the time, they are stationed inside courtrooms. They sit near judges and take notes on what’s happening in the courtroom. 

Reporters often use stenotype machines rather than longhand to transcribe their notes, but they may also opt for electronic steno machines or even digital recorders to capture what is said. They must be able to concentrate at all times while being sensitive enough to pick up on voices and other noises in the room.

A pertinent issue pertaining to these traditional services is their cost. The most common cost measurement is the “page rate.” The reporter’s services are mostly paid based on a fixed price for each page of the final transcript. However, court reporters also work on an hourly basis if a fixed price per page will not work for the client.

In other words, because of their lack of experience and need to stop and ask people to repeat themselves or go slower, one reporter may take 5 hours to finish a deposition while a more experienced reporter may be able to finish the same deposition in 3.5 hours. Regardless, each deposition will be 300 pages long but could be compensated in either way.

As a stenographer, the court reporter is in charge of recording every word that is said throughout a deposition. This can be made difficult, however, by a number of potential circumstantial factors that have the capacity to influence a reporter’s ability to accurately record. Such scenarios include those in which attorneys may be in different regions, or the proceedings are remote.

The ever-increasing need for understanding in such subjects as technology, which appears to change almost every day, has helped to increase the demand for alternatives in the court reporting businesses. 

Related: How Do Remote Streaming Depositions Work? 

What Are Remote Court Reporting Services?

It is more common than ever for attorneys to be involved in cases where they are not physically present, such as cross-border disputes. COVID-19 only sped up the demand so legal proceedings could continue, even if the physical courtroom was shuttered. These factors have led to a significant increase in the demand for remote court reporting services.

Remote depositions are conducted in the same way as traditional in-person proceedings. The only difference is that the attorneys and witnesses are located remotely, usually in their own offices. Remote court reporting services ensure all on-the-record text is captured and the proceeding follows the proper process and goes smoothly.

The development of video conferencing technology has made remote depositions a safe, secure and convenient way to conduct a proceeding. It also helps that the same equipment used for depositions can be utilized for multi-party conference calls, which is increasingly common in today’s business world.

Remote or virtual court reporting services include an electronic courtroom reporter. They are the equivalent of a conventional stenographer, except they use digital technology to record the audio of the proceeding to be transcribed later. Some platforms use technology to instantly convert the spoken word to text, providing an easy-to-follow live stream. 

The remote court reporters may also serve as notaries who swear in, handle exhibits, and provide playbacks as required. To ensure a verbatim recording, redundant methods of audio recording are used.

Technology makes it possible for depositions from remote locations to proceed just as easily as those that take place in a court reporter’s office. While the process may take a few proceedings to get used to, it is a far cry better than taking an in-person deposition for many legal professionals. 

Benefits of Remote Court Reporting Services

There are a number of reasons why remote court reporting services have become so popular in recent years. Some pertinent benefits of this technology are outlined in the following.

Convenience

Attorneys can take depositions from anywhere in the world, as long as they and the participants have a stable internet connection. There is no need to travel to the court reporting office. This saves time and money, as well as hours spent traveling.

Security

The court reporter holds the transcript of the remote deposition, and only the court reporter and the attorneys involved in the deposition have access to them. This eliminates the risk of privileged information becoming public. Transcripts are kept safe at all times, and plaintiffs can take comfort in knowing that their privacy is thoroughly protected.

Cost-Effective

Remote depositions are typically less expensive than traditional in-person proceedings, particularly if the court reporter serves as the notary, videographer, and technology expert. 

Remote Court Reporting Services and COVID-19

COVID-19 has created a unique situation in the legal industry, as many court proceedings moved online to help prevent the spread of the virus. While this has presented some challenges, it is also an opportunity for remote depositions to shine. With so many people still more comfortable working from home, court reporters and attorneys alike can take advantage of this unique situation.

Shifting to electronic court reporting services versus in-person stenographers has been an emerging trend, especially since the outbreak of COVID-19. Several court reporters are already using digital audio recorders for their deposition transcripts, which has helped to save time and money. While there are some downsides to this kind of platform, the benefits definitely outweigh them.

Alternatives to traditional oral proceedings are in high demand, but not all “solutions” are equal. Telecommunication tools like Skype and Zoom have shown their limitations in security, exhibit and screen sharing, administrative control and other variables. While these platforms have proven to be excellent for general conference calls, they are not built for the legal industry.

By using remote deposition services that include court reporting services on a legal-first platform, attorneys can conduct efficient proceedings and ensure that their clients’ privacy is protected at all times. These services are secure and cost-effective, giving legal professionals a multitude of reasons to consider this option when planning their next deposition. 

Related: Pros and Cons to Remote Depositions 

Comparing the Two: In-Person Vs. Remote Court Reporting

It is important to understand the key differences between in-person and remote court reporting before making a decision on which type of proceeding to use.

In-person depositions have been around for centuries, and they are still the most common form of a deposition. During an in-person deposition, the court reporter and all witnesses are physically present in the same room. This type of deposition is often used for criminal cases, as well as large civil suits.

Remote depositions, on the other hand, take place online via video conference. Attorneys and witnesses participate from separate locations, which can be anywhere in the world. Because of the advances in technology, remote depositions are becoming more and more popular.

The two main benefits of using a remote deposition are convenience and cost savings. With a remote deposition, there is no need to travel to a physical location. It is much easier to schedule proceedings around everyone’s busy lives. The platforms keep everyone on time and organized, with all exhibits, documents, video, transcript, attendee information and other critical proceeding elements all in one place.

When it comes to deciding which type of deposition is best, there are a few factors to consider. Of course, you want to know if any of the participants can travel. COVID is still a threat and many prefer to avoid groups.

The third factor is the type of case being litigated. In some cases, an in-person deposition may be required by the court. 

The final factor to consider is the budget. Remote depositions are typically much less expensive than in-person depositions.

If properly organized, remote depositions are an excellent way to ensure that there are no unnecessary delays or complications during the litigation process.

 Remote Court Reporting Services Are Here to Stay

The court reporting industry is quickly evolving, which means it’s up to legal professionals to stay on top of these changes. Remote depositions are the future of court reporting services and offer greater convenience and organization than in-person proceedings. 

Attorneys who are considering scheduling a deposition should keep these benefits in mind. By using remote deposition services, attorneys can ensure that they’re taking the best possible deposition for their clients.

Want to get started? Work with the groundbreaking team at Remote Legal and schedule your demo today.