There is nothing constant in this world other than change. As time passes by, things around us change in one way or another. This so-called constant change is also evident even in the legal arena. One best example is court reporting.
During the old times, court reporters in Atlanta GA only rely on their amazingly fast typing speed and steno-graph machine in capturing records. However, as new technologies emerge and as the demand increases, court reporters are prompted to take part in the technological revolution in the legal world.
Court reporters nowadays no longer focus on stenography, though they still offer such an elite service. As more and more courtrooms integrate computerization and technology into the judicial proceedings, court reporters also learn to utilize the latest audio, video, and internet technologies to deliver faster and more accurate records.
Let us take a look at some court reporting services trends that have swept through courtrooms nowadays.
Videoconferencing
The court reporters are responsible for taking records of all the words spoken by all the speakers during the judicial process. They are not, however, allowed to interpret and capture the moods, reactions, or body language of the speaker. However, there are times when the speaker’s reactions, body language, and moods are of paramount importance. These things can help the jury, judge, and/or lawyers in studying the case, in preparing for the trial or settlement offer, and in making decisions. In times like this, typed transcripts may not be enough.
Video recording or video conferencing, however, enables you to capture not only the words that were spoken but also the reactions, moods, and body language of the speaker. This service utilizes a specialized video recording technology in capturing the things that are happening during the hearing or deposition. With videoconferencing, every nuance and important detail of the proceeding is being recorded and preserved.
Audio recording
Audio recording, as its name suggests, uses an audio recording device when capturing records of the proceeding. Some courts prefer to use audio recording services instead of hiring a certified court reporter for some reason. One reason is that hiring a court reporter is more expensive than simply using an audio recording device. With audio recording, you only need to have a reliable audio recording device and hire a transcriptionist afterward to transcribe the recorded audio into written form.
Although this audio recording service is getting in trend nowadays, some legal professionals are expressing concerns regarding its reliability. The audio recording service has its own share of disadvantages. Since the audio recording devices record all the audio feedback they receive within their reach and capacity, they tend to also capture the noises and unnecessary nuisances around which can affect the clarity of the record.
For instance, if the courtroom gets noisy or if an ambulance, police car, or fire truck passes by with its siren on while the witness is giving its testimony, the audio transcriber may not be able to clearly hear and understand what the speaker said on the record. This can cause fragments on the transcribed record. Another unfortunate thing that may happen when relying solely on audio recording is that you may fail to turn on/off the device at the right time or it may run out of battery without you knowing.
Live Deposition Transcript Streaming
Do you need to attend a deposition or litigation procedure but you can’t possibly be able to be physically present at the venue? No problem. There’s an effective solution for you. Introducing then now trending live deposition transcript streaming.
The transition of some courts to digital recording, however, has brought fears and concerns to many court reporters in Georgia. Because some courts now consider using audio and video recording technologies to capture records, they no longer see the need to hire a certified court reporter. This put some court reporters out of work, causing strain between the court and the court reporters. As an effect, the court reporting schools experience a steady decrease in enrollment and graduation rates. More to that, gaining certification is getting more difficult nowadays as the guidelines and requirements became more rigid. That is, approximately only 1 in every 10 graduates can possibly pass the certification requirements and can officially work as a certified court reporter.
The continuous decline in the enrollment and graduation rates coupled with the increase of retirement rate and the number of court reporters who are put out of work are expected to lead to a critical shortfall of court reporting positions not only in Georgia but also in the entire United States.