subject: Why Attorneys Should Consider Utilizing Legal Video Depositions With A Court Reporter [print this page] The usual eventuality: you are a solicitor or trial attorney working on a case and you have a number of witnesses to depose, so you pick up your phone to call your local court reporter to order the depositions. But, have you thought about the benefits of hiring a legal videographer at the same time? There are many reasons to video record a legal deposition. Here are just a few you might consider.
1. If a key witness can't attend a trial, a videotaped deposition can frequently become the next best thing. The judge and jurors aren't only able to hear the deponent, but also see the expert simultaneously. The litigators can pick up on nonverbal gestures that would frequently be noticeable on the stand: body language, volume, demeanor, and so forth. None of these things can be gotten in the standard transcribed deposition by a court reporter.
2. Expert witnesses can be cost prohibitive to call to testify in the flesh. A video recorded deposition is sometimes the best alternative. It's less expensive, and the power of the expert is carried through as the demeanor and speech of the topic is on full display for the judge & jury.
3. Under the right circumstances, employing a video deposition to present background and foundational sworn statement improves the flow of proof, gets shot of calling witnesses out of order, and improves clearness to the jury and judge.
4. Usually an extremely damning video deposition can lead to a settlement. If the witness is very antagonistic or invokes their 5th amendment rights over and over, the plaintiff's attorney can be in an overpowering position of strength and can arrange a settlement before trial.
5. Studies suggest that jury members keep info up to 6 times longer when seeing witnesses and hearing them talk, instead of just hearing a records read in court. As the expression goes,'Seeing is believing.'
As you can clearly understand, a video transcription of a witness could be a great tool in the courtroom and offers many benefits over transcribed depositions. Consider hiring a legal videographer at the very same time you plan your deposition. You and your client may be satisfied you did.
