Digital Court Reporting and Remote Depositions in the Digital Age

Law firms may be noticing an uptick in the use of remote and digital services for court proceedings. While the legal system has long adopted modern technologies like AI, these new services are quite advanced. Digital court reporting, for example, implements advanced recording software. This equipment offers an alternative to capturing legal proceedings and producing accurate transcripts. At the same time, there has been a recent shift toward digital depositions. This shift is sparking a further trend toward remote transcription services.

There are many reasons why legal professionals are now seeking out these alternatives. Below we discuss some of these reasons, as well as common concerns surrounding newer technologies. 

What Is Digital Court Reporting?

One crucial goal in the legal industry is that of maintaining accuracy. Not only is accuracy important for making a strong legal case, it is important for making a legally permissible one in the first place. Traditional court reporting has long stepped in to meet this need. However, as technology has advanced, modern recording equipment is becoming increasingly beneficial.

These technologies are available in both court proceedings as well as formal depositions. 

First, digital court reporters set up and operate the digital recording system. One important step in this process is to place microphones in strategic locations. For instance, each individual will receive a microphone, while others are set up around the room. Importantly, this system incorporates multi-track audio recording as well as video recorders. This software makes it possible to catch each word spoken, even when there is cross-talk between individuals. Next, the digital court reporter takes extensive notes on the proceeding. These notes help guide the transcription process that occurs later. Finally, a legal transcriptionist will receive the files to formally transcribe. 

It is important to note that digital court reporting does not offer real time transcriptions. However, it does make use of many audio backups. These backups ensure that the recordings make it to a transcriptionist later. Thus, digital reporting still ensures an accurate transcription in most cases. 

What Is the Importance of Remote Depositions in the Digital Age?

Another important shift is also occurring in the way some legal proceedings occur. As the pandemic continues to demand social distancing, many depositions are now taken virtually. At the same time, remote depositions are also handy when deponents are out of state. Fortunately, audio and video accounts of remote depositions are easy to record on many platforms. Sending these files to a transcription service typically requires a simple upload.  As a byproduct of this shift, digital transcription services are gaining traction in the legal industry.

What About Traditional Stenographic Court Reporters?

The legal system has traditionally used various techniques to promote accuracy. One lasting technique is the use of a court reporter, a person who captures each word spoken in real time. To do this, the court reporter uses a special machine, called a stenograph or stenotype machine. This machine allows the court reporter to record the proceedings in shorthand form. The machine will then translate the shorthand into readable English. Later, the stenographer will revisit the document to check for errors.  Once this process is complete, the court reporter prepares the final draft for legal use. 

So, why are law firms now turning to digital court reporting and remote transcription services over traditional stenography? Some of the major reasons for this shift include:

• Shorter turnaround times for getting quick, automatic transcripts and professional legal transcripts after a proceeding.
• A general lack of professional court reporters available to attend legal proceedings.
• Ease in delivering audio and video files via the internet. 
• A reliable means of obtaining accurate transcriptions.
• Video recordings help attorneys re-examine proceedings for  both verbal and non-verbal cues that may help their case.

Ready to Dive into the Digital Age? Get Started with Rev’s Remote Services!

As law firms across the country turn to digital alternatives, transcription services are in high demand. This is due in no small part to the large amount of information involved in any given case. At Rev, we pride ourselves on offering quick and accurate transcription services. In doing so, we tackle the bulk of this work so that you can focus on your cases. To get started today, simply send us your audio or video files and let us handle the rest!