In theory, court reporting might sound like a pretty simple and easy job because we tend to think that all they do is keep record of what goes on in a legal proceeding. And just writing what is being said does not sound like a difficult thing to do. While the talkers are lawyers and witnesses, writing down what they say is not a rocket science, right?
Wrong!! Any paralegal who has had experience of working with court reporters can realize that they are far more important than what they sound to be. They know how much of ease and convenience a talented or professional court reporter can bring in a legal case, and contribute to in getting a favorable court verdict. On the other hand, a bad court reporter does not just reflect badly on a legal proceeding and depositions, but can also affect the outcome of promising litigation. A poor performance by the court reporters embarrass attorneys, while without any fault of their fingers are pointed at paralegals. Why? Because they hired a bad court reporter. So if you are a paralegal, and are out to look for a professional court reporter, this article contains some valuable tips which can make your professional life much easier, and which can protect you from looking bad if court reporters make any mistake.
1. Know the tasks they can perform
Professional court reporters can perform miracles once they are hired. They can prepare rough draft transcripts, real-time feeds to tablets or laptops, live broadcasting of litigation, scheduling depositions in far away areas, overnight transcripts, make arrangements for depositions, and so on. It is better to know what services can be expected from court reporters so that you can make the most out of them. Instead of getting just reporting services, why not push the boundaries and enrich what they deliver.
2. Should be able to work in emergency
While it is commonly believed that a lack of planning on YOUR part doesn’t should not raise an emergency on MY part. But when you are out to hire a court reporter it is not just services you are hiring, but you are looking for a stakeholder who should consider your matter of urgency as his own. You don’t want to hire a court reporter that would rather have a calm and cozy evening while you are working like hell because there is an emergency.
3. Communication is critical
Communication is vital for smooth functioning of all aspects of life same is the case when you look for Oakland notary services. You must provide a clear picture of the whole case to the reporter so that they can come up with an effective plan of providing services. Keeping them informed of what is coming up in future or next proceeding, will allow them to make appropriate arrangements in time. This way they can be better equipped to deal with last minute emergencies and demands. If the attorney has to brief right after the deposition, look for a court reporter who can deliver on short notice. If the trial is due in a short time, you can’t risk it because the reporter cannot prepare final transcript in s short time. There are professional and dedicated court reporters that understand the urgency of matter and can work in short time.
4. Don’t make your budget the base-point
This one is very important. Do not risk your litigation for saving a few bucks and ending up with a bad court reporter. This does not mean to go to a court reporter who charges the highest. Instead, go for a professional who delivers quality services and satisfies all of the above points. Many digital reporting companies quote a lower price initially but have hidden charges which are capable of exceeding the overall cost of hiring an experienced court reporter. Digital reporters quote lesser than real time reporters, which is often misleading. Keep an eye at the detailed breakdown of charges. If the reporter is including index pages and other attachments with the overall cost, then you might be over-paying.
Final Words
Picking the right court reporter is critical for any litigation. At Professional Reporting our professional court reporters are experienced and qualified. They offer professional services at the best rates in town. We don’t have any hidden charges. And we can gladly give you a breakdown of charges before hand. To know more about us or to get a quote, visit our website or give us a call.
for more articles visit MASHABLETIME
