Legal video technology is increasingly used to streamline and enhance litigation. Court reporting firms must offer multiple video services (videoconferencing, video depositions, day-in-the-life video, video synchronization) to meet the standards of the industry and the needs of their clients. As this technology becomes more and more prevalent, questions tend to come up. In this blog post, we answer some of those frequently asked questions.
Video testimony offers several advantages:
It is the right of either party in a lawsuit to conduct a video deposition of witness. However, the intent to video record must be included in the notice of deposition. If the intent is not included in the notice, the witness can then refuse to allow video recording at the deposition.
When a witness is absent, their video deposition is presented instead, with objections and overruled questions edited out with the permission of the court. Particular segments of video may be selected to present for a particular purpose, such as impeaching a witness. These segments do not necessarily need to be continuous.
Picture-in-Picture video is a solution for capturing exhibit-intensive depositions. Picture-in-Picture technology allows videographers to display exhibits and video of the deponents reaction simultaneously on a multiple window screen. This captures an interaction between a deponent and an exhibit. You can find more information on Picture-and-Picture video in this blog post.
A CLVS is a Certified Legal Video Specialist. The Certified Legal Video Specialist program is a training course established by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). The program involves a three-step certification process that measures a legal videographer’s competency. A candidate must attend a “Video in the Legal Environment” seminar, pass a written examination and pass a practical video production examination.
While you do not necessarily have to hire a CLVS, there are many benefits to doing so. The NCRA has established a code of ethics, as well as 62 standards, for the certification program. These standards cover every aspect of legal videography. For example, CLVSs make simultaneous back-up recordings, which ensures that important footage will not be compromised. In addition, CLVSs are required to undergo continued education. Specialists are not only skilled with the camera but also understand how to use that skill within a legal context. This offers you an added level of security and trust; without these standards, it is impossible to know what quality of work you will receive when hiring a videographer. For more information on the advantages of CLVSs, reference this blog post.
Connor Reporting boasts a full professional suite of legal video services, and our in-house team of Certified Legal Video Specialists can meet any and all video needs. With our legal video services, you benefit from certification, professional experience and the resources of a company who understands the full scope of the court reporting profession.
