Strategic Deposition Technologies for Attorneys

The deposition technologies utilized by attorneys have been continually evolving. For attorneys and court reporters alike, depositions in 2019 may bear little resemblance to those of only five years prior. This is largely due to the development and advancement of newer, more efficient technological methods of reporting and recording witness testimony. Attorneys who take advantage of these updated techniques can save a great deal of time, money and effort while gaining a definitive advantage through a decidedly stronger case presentation.

Court reporters now have at their disposal the following updated tools to enhance the level of professional service provided. It is highly advisable for attorneys to consider using these options, as well as others available from the court reporter (or court reporting firm), as the deposition arrangements are being determined. Incorporating these newer technologies into the deposition process can reduce the margin of error created through miscommunication, misinterpretation and misunderstanding of witness testimony. This often translates into a smoother process and creates a noticeably significant advantage for the attorneys as the case moves closer to trial or settlement.

Remote Depositions

Advances in remote deposition technology have had the greatest positive impact on attorneys. Taking a deposition remotely is an effective way to expedite the process and greatly reduce expenses. Remote deposition systems now allow for witnesses to be easily deposed no matter whether they live in another city, state or country. This aspect allows for maintaining optimal productivity without sacrificing the level of quality demanded.

Attorneys that consistently utilize remote deposition services realize substantial savings through the reduction of expenditures for travel, food and lodging. Cost efficiency is further realized because of the ability to utilize their existing local devices such as desktop computers, laptops, tablets or cell phones, rather than investing in additional equipment. All that is necessary for the attorney and deponent to participate with a court reporter remotely are a quiet room, a device with a microphone and HD camera and a reliable high-speed internet connection.

Electronic Exhibits

In recent years a greater number of legal entities have begun to approve and adopt the use of electronic means for exhibit submission. Printed copies of your materials require a great deal of time to reproduce and represent a considerable expense that can often be abated. They also require greater amounts of space for storage, transportation and presentation. Digital exhibition software allows for attorneys to replace the binders and boxes with more compact and secure devices. These electronic files are easily distributed to the court reporter, opposing counsel and other parties involved. This greatly reduces the risks of potential document loss, damage or mishandling.

Going digital not only reduces the cost of document preparation and upkeep but affords for greater ease of dissemination. Those individuals granted secure access may examine the material in the office, courtroom, home or on the go. These features facilitate smoother communication and expedited collaboration between attorneys, witnesses and the courts without sacrificing the security or privacy of your sensitive documents.

Realtime Reporting

Realtime reporting software now makes it possible for the court reporter to instantaneously display the spoken word during the deposition into readable text for the involved parties to view. This technology can be utilized by the reporter whether on-site or during a remote deposition. One benefit of real-time reporting is that it allows the attorneys to focus more on the testimony being given, rather than concentrating on note taking. In doing so, a more thorough examination of the witness may be conducted.

Another great aspect of realtime is that it allows for a more accurate statement to be taken at that time. Whereas the time-consuming procedure of having the witness read and sign their testimony at a later date can be lengthy, real-time reporting makes it possible to resolve many conflicts in testimony immediately. Any changes that are requested or made are noted in the record and may be referenced later. Realtime is not only being used for depositions but is  incorporated into hearings and trials as well.

Deposition Video Recording

While it is no secret that cameras have long been used to record depositions, the strides made in this area are creating great advantages for the attorneys who embrace them. Camera technology has evolved immensely in the last decade, with the newer High Definition imaging and sound capture capabilities recording every pause, flinch, emotion or evasion. Paired with comparable advancements in the video editing software, unwanted distractions such as background noise may be removed, or the clarity of speech may be improved. Editing software allows for electronic exhibits to be integrated with the flow of testimony permitting answers to be placed in their proper context. These enhancements make for a finished product that vividly promotes your point to the judge or jury.

Combined, these technological advances produce a more accurate and unimpeachable record of testimony. When strategically applied, use of these tools create an official record that is more compelling and comprehendible.

If you or a colleague would like more information about any of these strategic methods, please feel free to contact us. We would love to demonstrate the strategic advantages you could gain from these advancements.

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