There some instances in depositions when a deponent must view and discuss many exhibits. Typically in these situations, legal videographers will zoom in on the exhibit(s) in order to capture what is being discussed. While this is common practice, there is a more effective technological solution for capturing exhibit intensive depositions: Picture-in-Picture video. Picture-in-Picture technology allows videographers to display exhibits and video of the deponents reaction simultaneously on a multiple window screen. Like standard videography services, Picture-in-Picture can be utilized live on the spot. This interactive solution is an incredibly useful tool for enhancing the visual presentation of a deposition while maintaining professional standards. (more…)
Photo and video evidence can be extremely effective in legal proceedings. Potential evidence is everywhere and readily available with the proliferation of surveillance cameras and smartphones in everyone’s pockets. With this availability, every legal claim seems to incorporate photos or video. But is photo and video evidence always admissible in court? What are the pitfalls to be aware of when using such evidence? (more…)
Court reporting is not always advertised as the most thrilling career. A career in court reporting can be both personally and professionally fulfilling, but individuals looking for adventure do not often imagine themselves as reporters. As a matter of fact, the court reporting industry offers incredible opportunities for global jet-setting. If you are interested in a lucrative, rewarding career that allows you to travel all over the world, you should consider becoming an international court reporter. (more…)
Our culture is endlessly fascinated with courtroom drama. Our legal justice system is the subject of countless great television shows and films. Full of intensity and intrigue, these scenarios wrestle with some our deepest questions: Can the truth ever really be known? Does our system unfailingly uphold justice? Whether or not the legal proceedings are strictly accurate (and there are typically some inaccuracies), these films certainly make for great entertainment. We’ve compiled 5 of our favorite movie courtroom scenes for your viewing pleasure. Perhaps these will inspire your next movie night. (more…)
For a court reporter, extreme speed and accuracy are simply part of the job description. For reference, the average person types between 38 and 40 words per minute, and professional typists tend to achieve upwards of 65-75 wpm. However, these speeds are in terms of a standard keyboard. Court reporters train on stenotype machines, and the minimum speed required for certification by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA) is 225 wpm. That said, what about the maximum speeds a court reporter has reached? How fast is the world’s fastest court reporter? (more…)
Last month, Halloween had us reflecting on the infamous Salem Witch Trials. Now, as Thanksgiving approaches, we’re reminded of the origins of our country and our legal system. This line of thought roused our curiosity: What was the first major court decision in the United States? For that matter, what was the first major decision in Indiana, or even the world? (more…)
In our recent blog post, we look into the antediluvian legal proceedings of the Salem witch trials. As it turns out, Indiana still has some antiquated laws on the books as well. If not quite puritanical, these laws are certainly comical — and thankfully rarely enforced. The following are our ten favorites, but there were plenty to choose from. We hope these outdated laws bring a little humor to your day. (more…)
In this autumnal season, we Americans tend to reflect on our colonial past. Our favorite heart-warming legend is of course the Pilgrim’s Thanksgiving — a story of generosity, community and gratitude that we continue to celebrate annually. However, there is another puritanical history that tends to haunt us in October: the Salem witch trials. (more…)
Fall is already upon us, and 2017 is speeding by. As we move toward the end of the year, it is time to start looking ahead to 2018, to anticipate what the future may hold. Court reporting is a profession that has been continually adapting over time since the first American shorthand machine was invented in 1879. Though some may misguidedly peg court reporting as outmoded, the profession is constantly evolving, modernizing and looking forward. In that spirit of advancement and modernization, this blog post examines the upcoming innovations and challenges in store for the court reporting industry in 2018. (more…)
The court system serves to uphold justice, but fulfilling this purpose with finite resources can often be quite challenging. Tight budgets and limited time place serious constraints on what can be achieved. However, new technologies can help alleviate some of those constraints and enable the courts to do more with less. Videoconferencing is not exactly a new technology — various courts have been using videoconferencing in preliminary proceedings since the 1990s — but it is only recently being used in a more full and productive capacity. In this full capacity, videoconferencing can greatly reduce court costs and improve the overall efficiency of legal proceedings. As with any new technology, though, videoconferencing does require some adjustment. This blog post examines the relative merits and challenges of videoconferencing and its role in federal courts. (more…)
