MAKING THE BEST RECORD Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation Customized text area Name of presenter Contact info

MAKING THE BEST RECORD The attorney’s job is to make the record. The court reporter’s job is to preserve it.

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Court reporters are independent officers of the court serve all parties and have no interest in the outcome of the proceedings

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Think of our justice system as a three-legged stool …

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Points to remember …

MAKING THE BEST RECORD notice of taking deposition estimated duration special reporting needs special technology needs Making the best deposition record starts at scheduling!

MAKING THE BEST RECORD When do you need the transcript? What transcript formats do you prefer? Advise ASAP if the deposition cancels. More things to consider when scheduling!

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Before asking your first question in a deposition… consider room layout and acoustics prepare exhibits to pre-mark provide your business card inform your witness of reporter’s role

MAKING THE BEST RECORD In a courtroom… microphones are often used judge determines all other protocols

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Enunciate clearly. Speak at a well-modulated pace. Don’t interrupt, ever. Don’t speak while reporter is marking exhibits. The goal: To capture every word!

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Be mindful when reading. Be precise with numbers. Spell case-specific proper nouns for the court reporter. Please spell slowly. And some more best practices

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Reporters write what is being said, not what is being done.

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Clarify “uh-huhs,” “uh-uhs,” “mm-hms,” and “mm-mms.”

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Did you say… “B”? “C”? “D”? “V” or “3”? “A” or “The”?

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Things to avoid: uttering “Okay,” “I see,” and “All right” using double negatives using vague pronouns creating distractions such as clicking pens going for long periods without stopping for a break

MAKING THE BEST RECORD when you’re going on or off the record when a quote begins and ends what is and isn’t confidential or “attorneys’ eyes only” to use vernacular that is tailored to the witness to clarify thick accents using directions such as “east” and “west” Be very careful …

MAKING THE BEST RECORD At the end of the deposition: If applicable, ascertain whether the witness would like to read and sign.

MAKING THE BEST RECORD To obtain your transcript : be clear as to your transcript order be responsive when the reporter contacts you for clarifications, as this could affect your delivery time

MAKING THE BEST RECORD As with attorneys, court reporters have different levels of experience and expertise.

MAKING THE BEST RECORD To get the most out of your court reporter, get to know the services he or she can offer!

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Freelance reporters can offer assistance in trial presentation.

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Realtime transcript feed display Advantages of realtime technology live feed from court reporter your case issues auto tagging of key words issue highlights “quick marks” for later review

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Additional services available: videotaping of depositions synchronizing video to transcripts paperless exhibits exhibits linked within electronic transcript mobile videoconferencing trial technologies CART for people who are deaf and hard of hearing interpreter services

MAKING THE BEST RECORD Using Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) in the judicial setting Assess the needs of the person requiring the service. Give adequate notice to court administration that CART will be needed. Provide detailed information to the reporter to prepare. Allow adequate time for the person to read the screen.

MAKING THE BEST RECORD For a copy of this presentation, visit NCRA.org/NCRF/LegalEd