Friday, January 30, 2009

What Your Court Reporter Should Be Doing After The Deposition

After the deposition is over, lawyers seem to face their biggest problem when dealing with court reporters. You don't follow up on lots of little details that every court reporter should participate in after the deposition.

The end of the deposition does not mean the end of a court reporters job. There are plenty of tasks that should be completed in a timely matter.

Review and Edit
After the deposition a court reporter should download all the information gathered during the deposition on to a computer and get to editing. Just because your court reporter types everything during the deposition, doesn't mean an instant final copy is ready. Court reporters should go back through audio tapes and fill in any gaps missing in the transcript; then someone should look over the first draft by proofreading and making any corrections.

Final Draft and Formatting
Next, the proofreader should send all the corrections back to the court reporter to prepare for the final draft. The final draft should not only be free of grammatical errors and misspellings, it should also be formatted with page numbers, indexes, and a condensed transcript for quick reading.

Delivery
Next, the court reporter sends the transcript to you, but before that the court reporter should have made a copy of the transcript and exhibits and filed it appropriately. Additionally, you should receive two copies; one original in the mail and one electronic copy.

The Court Copy
Lastly, after you have looked over the entire document and are satisfied, you sign it and send the original back to the court reporter to be filed with the court.

For court reporters for your next deposition, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit http://www.courtreporternet.com/. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Origins of Court Reporting Shorthand

With our society at the most litigious time during any point in its history, court reporters are more in demand than ever. Court reporters provide a valuable service to the legal community, creating an official written record of everything that is spoken during trials, motions and depositions.

But where did the court reporting industry start? And more importantly, what are the origins of the equipment and shorthand systems used today around the world?

In order to track down the first official court reporter, one must go back to ancient time – 63 B.C. to be exact. It was in this year that a slave named Marcus Tullius Tiro, the property of the great Cicero became the world’s first shorthand reporter. Tiro first known transcription was of a speech by Cato. To help him copy every word of the speech accurately, Tiro used a series of shorthand notes and symbols. Tiro’s system was simple but groundbreaking. He used single symbols to represents full sentences, and did not record smaller, common words that he knew could be entered into the official record at a later time.

As a result of Tiro’s work, the art and science of stenography was born, and although most of the symbols he used are no longer with us, the ampersand (&) still exists and is a part of hundreds of languages around the world.

The John of Tilbury, a monk, developed the first English shorthand sometime around the year 1180. His system remained the standard in England until the 16th century when a doctor named Timothie Bright created a 500 character shorthand symbol system that would replace it.

Dr. Bright’s system was accepted throughout England until the year 1772 when it was replaced by a new shorthand system developed Thomas Gurney. Gurney worked for the government and his new, easy-to-use system of transcription and note-taking became the official shorthand of Parliament. The final switch in England’s shorthand system came in 1837 when Isaac Pittman developed a phonetics-based shorthand system that is still in use by many British court reporters today.

Across the pond, Gregg’s system was used in the courts of the United States until the invention of the shorthand machine later in the century. In 1879, a man by the name of Miles Bartholomew, who was part of what was already a growing number of professional court reports working in the American legal system, received a patent for what would become the modern typewriter. It had a single keystroke for each letter and would become a major tool of business in the decades that followed.

But for the purposes of modern court reporting, things needed to work more quickly. During the post-war era of the 1950’s the United States Military and IBM developed groundbreaking machines and software that would translate foreign languages directly into English. After this project was complete, the same team of engineers used this technology to create shorthand translation machines.

It was out of this technology that the modern shorthand machine, used today by tens of thousands of court reporters was born.

How to Hire a Court Reporter for your Next Deposition

In the course of a busy day, it is easy to forget that you need a court reporter for your upcoming deposition. With that in mind, we offer the following helpful tips for making sure that you get an accurate written record of everything that transpires during the proceedings.

1. Confirm the dates of your deposition. If the actual date of your deposition is still up in the air, then you are not quite ready to hire a court reporter. In order to avoid cancellation fees, or inconvenience the reporter herself, it is best to get the time and date set in stone before placing a call.

2. Reserve your conference room. Inside many law firms the biggest fight isn’t over who will be made partner, but rather over valuable conference room space. Make sure that you’ve got one reserved for the specific date and time of the scheduled deposition.

3. Ask for recommendations. If you are unsure about who to call to get a court reporter to work your deposition, ask other attorneys for a recommendation.

4. Determine if your deposition will take place over more than one day. In order to insure that a qualified court reporter is available for the entire deposition, be sure to determine beforehand whether or not the deposition will conclude in the span of a single day.

5. Ask about bi-lingual court reporters. If there will be languages other than English spoken at the deposition, ask the court reporter (or their service) about the availability of bi-lingual court reporters. If a bilingual reporter is not available for the deposition, you can also hire a translator after the fact to convert the record into another language.

6. Contact a court reporting service. The beauty of a court reporting service is that it takes all the guesswork out of hiring someone to transcribe your deposition. The process couldn’t be easier. Simply contact the service online or over the phone and let them know the details of your upcoming deposition. They will let you know who is available, what their experience level is and what you fee will be.

7. Be mindful of the court reporter’s time. Try not to keep the court reporter waiting around for long stretches of time before or after the deposition. Just like you, their time is valuable and always needs to be accounted for.
With these tips in mind, the scheduling and execution of your next deposition should go smoothly. Remember that although most court reporting services can send someone to you on short notice, it is always better to book ahead whenever possible.

For court reporters for your next deposition, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit http://www.courtreporternet.com/. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Monday, January 26, 2009

The Best California Court Reporting Firm


Court Reporter Net in California is the best court reporting service in the state, hands down. Here are a few reasons why:
  • We know how important it is for court reporting cases to be transcribed with complete accuracy, precision and clarity.
  • We are aware that every situation has different needs.
  • We are a fully qualified transcription service ready to handle court reporting in California.
  • We promise to be at assignments on time
  • We make sure that our California court reporters bring skill to their transcription, court reporting and videography assignments.
  • They worked with some of the most prestigious law firms throughout the country
  • We offer services for depositions, arbitrations, conferences, hearings, conventions or meetings
  • We employ cutting-edge legal court reporters and videographers along with the most experienced certified specialists in the California area.
For court reporters, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Tips for working with court reporters during a deposition



When working with Court Reporters during a deposition it's important to follow a few key tips to help get the most out of your court reporter and your time.

Before the deposition
First, make sure that the deposition is scheduled in advance and that if it is canceled contact the court reporter as soon as possible. Also, during the scheduling process get enough information as possible and relay it to your court reporter. They need just as much information as a lawyer including the deponents, case caption, names, subject matter, etc.

During The Deposition
During the deposition your court reporter will need your business card, names of everyone present, and at least 15 to 30 minutes to set up. Also, make sure the court reporter is sitting close to the desponent so that she can clear hear what he or she has to say. Lastly, make sure all devices are cut off so that nothing will interfere with the court reporter's equipment.

Attorneys looking for court reporters shouldn't don't settle for less! For court reporters, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Court Reporters and Deposition Services

Although most people believe that court reporters spend all their time in a court room, the bulk of their professional activity is much more likely to take place in a conference room at a law firm. That’s because deposition services, and not in-trial proceedings is the leading reason why court reporters are in such constant demand.


http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/The-Deposition-the-office-409523_1555_1039.jpg

How a Court Reporter aids in a Deposition

· By providing a written record of testimony. Every deposition is valuable to the advance of that given court case, and since witnesses cannot be brought in again and again to repeat what they have said, the written record created by the court reporter must speak for them.

· By preparing a record to be used in court. If the witness being deposed is unable to appear in court, the transcript created by the court reporter will be used instead. These documents are also use to corroborate testimony during a trial. Say for example a witness is brought before the judge. They make statements that differ from those given during the deposition. Counsel is able to point out the discrepancies thanks to the written record.

· To certify any document presented as evidence during a deposition. Many court reporters are also notaries, meaning they can make any deposition-related documentation official in the eyes of the court. This may include evidence, statements and even the transcript of the deposition itself. (NOTE: Ask you court reporting services beforehand if the court reporter they are sending out is currently a notary public.)

Other Deposition-Related Court Reporting Services

One of the fastest growing legal services is Videography, and it comes into play often with depositions. More and more attorneys are choosing to videotape their depositions for the record, or use later in court. Sensing a shift in demand, court reporting services have brought in expert video camera operators to shoot and edit these depositions.

Translation and interpreter services are also offered by many court reporting services and can provide benefits for those who need to depose individuals who may not speak English as their first language (or at all). The same accuracy and speed is required of bi-lingual court reports as they must not only comprehend the second language being spoken, but create a transcript of it as well.

Millions of depositions take place in the United States each year, and for each one there is likely to be a court reporter present to create a flawless record of what is said. It is just one of the myriad ways that a court reporter provides the backbone of the legal record.

For court reporters, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Technological advances in the court reporting industry


Some lawyers are pleasantly surprised when they realize exactly how much the court reporting industry has changed. Even though stenographs are still used, lots of other technologies have come into existence that can allow a court reporter to provide services above and beyond the call of duty.

Here are some of the latest advancements that could benefit you or firm in making the decision on which court reporter would be right for you:

Laptop Computers
This is the most obvious advancement and it is slowly, but surely, taking the place of the stenograph machine. The laptop computer is allowing court reporters to increase their workload and speed daily.

Video and Transcript Comparison Software
These software options allow a videotaped deposition to be synced and viewed side by side with transcripts. It can even transcribe a court reporter’s words spoken into a mouthpiece.

Interactive Scanning
Documents and photos can not only be scanned, but can be made electronic with clickable links and instant filing. This allows paper to be saved and organization to be a click away.

There are many more technological advances in the field and when looking for a court reporter, this should definitely be examined further.

For court reporters, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Court reporter and lawyer relationships are key to litigation success


The relationship between a lawyer and a court reporter is the key to success in the litigation field for both parties. According to Wayne Cohen, who wrote on the subject in the July-August 2006 Journal For Reporting and Captioning Profession:

"Many more seasoned attorneys still haven't the slightest clue what court reporters actually do. We don't understand how court reporting equipment or software works. We have no idea how court reporters use the key strokes or how the transcripts go from the court reporter's computer to production."

That's why at CourtReporterNet.com we train our court reporters to take that extra step to ensure that clients are happy and comfortable with our court reporters. In order to make that happen, we encourage our court reporters to follow a few guidelines:

1. Always put your best foot forward by arriving to everything on time or early, especially depositions.

2. Try to have conversations on topics other than work every now and then.

3. Be prepared to listen to what everyone is talking about. Asking "How was your day?"or "Did you enjoy lunch?" can go a long way.

4. Also, smiling and being cheerful can help a court reporter stand out from the crowd. Litigation is a very serious matter, but lightening the mood a little can help put everyone at ease before and after a case.

5. Having a great attitude is self explanatory, never has anyone wanted to be around someone who never smiles and always has something wrong.

For a court reporter that can really add value, and for a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.

Monday, January 12, 2009

What To Look For In A Court Reporter


Everyday hundreds of legal professionals hire court reporter firms without understanding exactly what they are looking for. A good court reporter is hard to find that’s why it's important to understand what a quality court reporter is. A quality court reporter should be:

Attentive
Outside distractions, interest in the story line, even day to day thoughts can stop a court reporter from hearing proceedings and recording them precisely. An attentive court reporter is ideal because they concentrate on every detail of the legal proceeding without falling prey to inaccurate court reporting.

Prepared
How many times has a great employee fell short because of un-organization? We've heard the story many times in today's courtrooms and unfortunately, a bad court reporter can fall into this category. Organization is key in order for a court reporter to use a stenotype machine, file documents, organize workspaces, and keep careful record of legal proceedings. Without these characteristics legal issues will turn up.

Flexible
From the long hours, to mounds of paper work, canceled proceedings, and moved meetings; flexibility is a key attribute every court reporter should have. This comes into play especially when proceedings continue past the scheduled time.

Established
An established court reporter is a mature court reporter. He or she has experience on the job and knows the importance and severity of her role in today's legal proceedings. Even when the subject matter may past a "normal" level, court reporters should not only keep their bearings but also behave in the most professional way possible.

Punctual
Lastly, and most importantly, court reporters should be punctual because in this business nothing can be overlooked or missed when it comes to people's lives. It's such an important characteristic because courtrooms will refuse to start or continue until the court reporter shows up.

Court reporting services should offer you a court reporter with combination of all these characteristics and more. For court reporters, plus a WHOLE lot more, visit www.CourtReporterNet.com. CourtReporterNet.com is the one-stop source for all your Court Reporting, videography and Transcription needs. Powered by innovative technologies, and a professional customer support staff, CourtReporterNet.com is sure to meet your complete satisfaction. The court reporters of CourtReporterNet.com are currently available in New York, California, Florida, Chicago and other areas throughout the United States.
 
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