Technological advancements are making virtual depositions an increasingly attractive option for attorneys looking to cut costs and increase efficiency. This process saves time and travel expenses for attorneys, allows for precise transcripts, and creates compelling video for use in court.
What exactly is a deposition? For those that don’t already know, a legal deposition is sworn oral testimony that is given out of court and used later, either in a trial or elsewhere in the legal process. Before the rise of videoconferencing technology, testimony would have had to be taken in person and transcribed by a stenographer. Now, testimony can be reliably and conveniently collected from across the country. This video can either be recorded and used as-is, or it can be transcribed by deposition reporters.
These two routes both offer benefits. Video testimony can be far more compelling than typed transcripts. But even when a transcript is preferable, video depositions allow reporters to double-check their copy against the video for accuracy.
Of course, you should do area-specific research before planning to rely on virtual depositions. The rules for video depositions in California, for example, might be different from those in Maryland. Instead of just setting up a webcam in the office, consider investigating professional legal video services to ensure the quality necessary for court use.
Depositions demand extensive preparation by a legal team and in many cases, also require exhaustive, costly and time consuming travel. Today, advances in technology can reduce or eliminate many deposition frustrations, including allowing attorneys to attend depositions remotely; conduct interviews via videoconferencing; receive deposition transcripts or video over the Internet or share exhibits electronically.
Remote deposition services are at the forefront of providing attorneys and their legal teams with innovative ways to leverage technology in order to maximize time and minimize costs. Outsourced suites of virtual deposition services provide flexibility to conduct depositions in a manner that meets your needs, whatever they may be in a given scenario. Many virtual deposition services include: