As a witness, it is essential to note that your testimony is not the only thing under scrutiny. Judges, attorneys, and the attending public will also be paying close attention to how you say it. By learning how to present yourself in a courtroom, you will be in a prime position to give a great testimony and confidently answer any questions you are asked. Below are nine courtroom etiquette tips to get you started.

1. Dress Well

You should always attend court in appropriate dress, whether you are a witness or not. It is twice as important for witnesses to appear clean and well-groomed. Ideally, you should dress in formal clothes. These include conservative dresses/skirts, well-pressed dress pants, suits, collared pants, and professional blouses. Avoid hats and rugged wear. If you fancy a casual look, stay away from loud colors, and ensure the length of the blouse, shirt or skirt you pick is reasonable.

2. Be Courteous

Courts are revered places, and you don’t want to be censured for contempt. So, avoid any behaviors that could attract attention to yourself. These include laughing loudly, speaking out of turn, or using unprofessional language. It is also advisable to arrive early and sit in place until you are called to take the stand. Above all, don’t chew gum.

3. Tell the Truth and Nothing But

As a witness, you are in court to give an accurate account of events. You are not there to share your opinions or someone else’s story. Purpose to listen to and understand every question you are asked and respond as truthfully as possible. If you don’t understand any question, politely ask for clarification. It also won’t hurt to say “I do not know” when you aren’t sure of a specific detail or question.

4. Only Answer What You’re Asked

However big the temptation is, avoid giving any information you aren’t explicitly asked for. Instead, think of the testimony as an interview and follow the attorneys’ lead.

5. Do Not Interrupt Anyone

Everyone has their moment in court. As such, do not talk over someone else, even if they misrepresent your story or start talking over you. Instead, let them finish what they have to say and ask for a chance to speak afterward.

6. Avoid Talking in Absolutes

Every word you speak can be used against you in court, so it is best not to speak in absolutes unless you are sure of what you are saying. Instead of saying things like “that is the whole truth,” say, “that’s all I can remember.”

7. Correct Your Mistakes as Soon as You Can

Human is to err, and appearing before the court can unnerve you to the point of misspeaking. This is perfectly normal and won’t affect your testimony if you correct the mistake as soon as possible. For legal purposes, you should always seek permission before making the corrections. It is also good to give your reasons for making a mistake, even when you’re not outrightly asked to do it.

8. Maintain Your Composure

The attorneys questioning you will try to lower your credibility in every way. They will ask you questions and try to trigger your sensitivities. The court may censure you if you catch their bait and lose your temper. So, always maintain control over your emotions and try your best to answer every question calmly and respectfully.

9. Respect the Court Process

Remember to maintain your etiquette even after you give your testimony and leave the courtroom. As a rule of thumb, discussing an ongoing court case is frowned upon, so avoid sharing your experience on the stand or giving your opinion on the case. Instead, wait until the case is fully concluded. All said, testifying in court is not something to be afraid of. You can consult your attorney or the attorney who issued the subpoena to you and seek answers to any questions you may have.

By following the above tips, you will not only have a great experience in court but also look more credible and reliable while giving testimonies.

Are you in need of the services of a professional court reporting firm in New Jersey? If you do, contact us today!

The final few weeks prior to a court trial are often hectic and demanding for attorneys and their support team. This period is usually earmarked by a lot of pressure, which can have a significant impact on the proceedings of the trial as well as the final outcome. Every little detail of the case has to be scrutinized thoroughly to facilitate proper management of the proceedings. This can undoubtedly be mentally and physically demanding even for seasoned attorneys.

Interestingly, every attorney has their own unique process when it comes to preparing for a trial. Having worked with plenty of attorneys over the decades, we’ve had the privilege of observing what works and what doesn’t with regard to effective trial preparation. As such, we would like to share a few useful tips that can help attorneys organize their cases before trial. The tips discussed below are also designed to help attorneys present a solid case at the trial proceedings, thus increasing the chances of a favorable outcome.

Plan Every Element of the Case in Detail

Creating a detailed plan when working on a case is very crucial to the success of a court trial. In essence, having a clear objective in mind allows the attorney to devise a plan that will help them make a solid argument during proceedings. This will, in turn, raise the probability of getting the desired ruling.

When planning for a court case, it is important to factor in the overall expenses of the case to ensure the rewards of winning outweigh the costs. It is also crucial to think about any unforeseen hiccups that may occur in order to come up with strategies to mitigate them. This will enable the attorney to maintain confidence and composure when these incidents occur and ensure the case flows smoothly.

Make Sure There are Effective Communication Between All Individuals Involved in the Case

Proper communication between all parties involved in a case is crucial when preparing for a court proceeding because it ensures everyone understands their role. In addition to strengthening the cohesiveness between a litigation team, attorneys, and clients, effective communication also minimizes misunderstandings that could irreparably damage an otherwise solid case.

Know the Judge who is Presiding over the Proceedings

Judges are required to strictly adhere to the law when presiding over court cases. However, just like all humans, they can be susceptible to certain emotions, which may influence the way they handle trial proceedings. For instance, some judges can be very strict and rigid when presiding over trials. Understanding the temperament and style of a presiding judge, therefore, can help an attorney to prepare a case in a manner that captures their attention and influences them to give a favorable ruling.

Prep Witnesses to Take the Stand

Whereas professional attorneys are accustomed to the stressful environment that court proceedings tend to present, many witnesses are often inexperienced in these scenarios. They may, therefore, end up caving under pressure during trial questioning if they have not been adequately prepared.

To prevent this, attorneys often take the time to prepare their witnesses before they are called to testify. Running a court simulation exercise, for instance, can raise the confidence of a witness thus helping them give their statements properly during the actual trial questioning.

Prepare to Maintain a Calm and Collected Temperament

Navigating stressful situations requires one to keep a calm demeanor since this promotes clear thinking. Given how high-stake court proceedings tend to be, the ability to think clearly is absolutely essential to presenting a solid case and achieving the desired outcome. Nevertheless, there are certain situations when a major development or setback could completely throw off even the most experienced attorney and cause them to react poorly. In such instances, maintaining a calm and collected facade is most important. Keeping a cool demeanor can create a positive impression on the people in the courtroom and solidify their faith in the attorney.

Prepare a Convincing Story

Every case that is presented in court has a storyline to it. However, the manner in which that story is presented to the jurors is what determines who wins the case. No matter how strong a case someone may have unless they are able to convey it in a persuasive manner, they may end up not receiving the ruling they desire from the judges. On the other hand, when there is a strong and convincing story that is backed with solid evidence, judges are more likely to give a favorable ruling.

Make Use of Technology when Preparing for Your Trial Proceedings

In today’s technology-driven world, there are plenty of resources that can help attorneys prepare for court trials. Apart from being highly convenient, these technological aids are also time-efficient, which helps speed up the preparation process. Interestingly, the number of jurors who expect cases to be presented via technology has increased tremendously over the years. This means attorneys can benefit a great deal in their preparation and presentation by making use of the technologies available to them.

A Final Word

Adequate and timely preparation for a court hearing gives attorneys the confidence to make a bold and convincing case during the trial proceedings. Observing the tips highlighted above will ease the process of trial preparation, thus enabling both attorneys and clients to show up in the courtroom in their best form.

If you are a stenographer, court reporter, or professional transcriber, creating deposition transcripts can determine the direction of a lawsuit. You must make sure that you capture every detail accurately and precisely. 

Court reporters are human, meaning they are not immune to making mistakes. That is why it is always a good idea to review your deposition transcripts before trial to eliminate any errors and ensure that the information therein is accurate.

Here are a few tips on how to create quality deposition transcripts:

Check for spelling mistakes

Stenographers work phonetically when recording depositions. This means they are likely to make so many spelling mistakes in the first draft. You should, therefore, give the court reporter a list of phrases or words they might come across during the deposition process. This is particularly important if you are working with the court reporter for the first time. Your list of phrases can help the reporter avoid spelling mistakes.

Enunciate your words

One of the qualities of a good court reporter is the ability to type words quickly and accurately. Court reporters can type at speeds of up to 200 words per minute. However, this means you need to speak your words clearly all the time to ensure the reporter captures accurate records. You should avoid speaking over others and instead enunciate your words. This will guarantee that there is a consistent flow and that whatever is transcribed is as accurate as possible.

Avoid using sounds

Even though stenographers work phonetically, you should avoid using strange sounds when creating depositions. In essence, avoid using sounds like uh-uh, ah, or yah when trying to say no or yes. Try to use words as much as possible to make everything clear and avoid delays. In any case, sounds do not have shorthand notations, and this might make it difficult for the stenographer to produce accurate transcripts. As a reporter, you should clarify anything that seems unclear and encourage your clients to use words instead of sounds.

Work with an experienced court reporter

The quality of your transcript can make or break a case. You should, therefore, work with an experienced court reporter if you want to have an excellent set of transcripts. An experienced stenographer has what it takes as far as producing accurate reports is concerned. They know what guidelines to follow and they are highly trained in transcribing in a variety of formats.

Make sure the reporter identifies everyone correctly

If you want to start your depositions on the right note, then you must make sure that you identify yourself and get to know the identity of everyone present. This will include, the witnesses, attorneys, videographers, and everyone else in the room. The reporter must identify everyone correctly in their transcripts to avoid discrepancies. They must also state the name of the case, date, exhibit numbers, and every other relevant detail. 

Focus on your job

Whether you are a court reporter or an attorney, having a sense of focus on the task at hand will ensure that you produce quality deposition transcripts.

Have you ever had the chance to testify as a witness in a court case? If not you are probably wondering what the protocols and procedures are. Most people have never stood in as witnesses in a court case, and are therefore often unaware of what to expect. So in this post, we are going to share with you some of the top tips on how to be a witness in a court case so that you know what happens and how to prepare for it. 

Prioritize Your Subpoenas

Subpoenas are typically issued and enforced by judges, which essentially means they are not optional. Choosing not to follow through with them can be very detrimental and costly to you and whatever case you are involved in. Regardless of how busy you are or how limited time you have, always make sure you obey any subpoenas issued by a judge as this will save you a lot of hassle later on.

Speak with Your Attorney Openly

Your attorney is your best line of defense in a court case. It is therefore important to maintain transparency and divulge any information you may require to build their case. This will bolster your strategy and give them the fodder they need to make a strong statement that may ultimately tilt the odds in your favor.

Follow the Advice of Your Attorney

During a deposition, your attorney is the person that is best placed to provide you with advice on what to do. If they have a good reputation and you are paying them to represent you, chances are they have your best interests at heart. You should therefore take into account any advice that they impart to you and follow it to the latter.

Be Completely Honest in Your Testimony

When making your statements as a witness, you need to be as honest as possible and articulate yourself in a clear and concise way. This not only makes your statement appear valid in the eyes of the judges and jurors but also helps you to present a confident exterior, which can earn your more points during the proceedings.

Dress Nicely

Granted, you do not necessarily need to dress like you are attending the Met Gala, but dressing nicely creates a good impression and reflects well on you during a deposition. Make sure you are nicely groomed and your attire is neat and respectful.

Things to Avoid as a Witness

• Do not be flippant or sarcastic when answering questions or making your statement
• Refrain from divulging too much information during your statement since this can be used by your opponents against you during the deposition
• Avoid losing focus and remain attentive throughout the session
• Do not attend a deposition when intoxicated with alcohol or other drugs
• Don’t respond to questions you do not understand. Instead request for them to be repeated

By observing these simple rules of etiquette, you will make your deposition as smooth as possible and increase the chances of a favorable outcome.

Have you tried using video in your depositions? If not then it might be time to start considering that. There are plenty of benefits you can derive from using video depositions. 

We currently live in a highly visual technological landscape and videos have more or less become the primary medium of digital communication. Virtually all sectors have integrated video formats into their communication framework with the help of apps like Zoom and TikTok. 

Here are some of the ways in which a video deposition can benefit both you and your client.

It allows you to read the body language and demeanor of witnesses

Video depositions can help bolster an attorney’s case and make it more compelling. It is not always possible to recreate all of the reactions and body cues of witnesses during a deposition, but this is something that can be done very accurately on video. If there are video recordings of depositions, these can be referenced by a jury and used when making a ruling on a case. 

It captures and holds the attention of the jury

Using videos in your depositions not only allows you to make a more engaging presentation but also captures and maintains the attention of jurors. Exposure to video technology has conditioned us to passively pay attention to information that is presented in video format whether it is T.V shows or Youtube content.  So, even when there is no important proceeding going on during a deposition, videos can help keep your jurors more attentive compared to if they are listening to a transcript being readout.

It allows for witnesses who are not physically present to give their testimonies

One of the primary advantages of video depositions is that they allow for witnesses who are not able to physically attend the proceedings to present their submissions. This makes it possible for them to participate in the depositions without necessarily being present in the courtroom.

It cuts down on witness fees and travel costs

Having many witnesses in a deposition can be a very costly affair since it requires them to be facilitated throughout the deposition. The cost of transporting and accommodating witnesses throughout the period of deposition can be very enormous. However, by having them present their testimonies through video recordings, this cost can be significantly reduced.

Can be used as a reference point for trials

Videos can be very helpful tools of reference during a deposition. This is because you are able to review them and assess them when preparing your presentation. This can help improve the quality of your presentation and build a stronger case.

A final word

Using videos in your depositions has plenty of benefits that can significantly bolster your presentation and increase your effectiveness during a court proceeding. If you are interested in employing this medium in your deposition, enlist the services of a court reporter to help you set it up so that you are able to use it more effectively. 

Are you thinking about renting a conference room for a legal deposition? Court cases can be very complicated and messy affairs, which is why you need to make sure everything is in perfect order if you hope to improve your chances of winning the deposition. While most people may not be aware of this, a lot of what happens in a legal case goes on outside the courtroom rather than inside. Legal depositions are fundamentally meant for witnesses in a case to provide their testimony and have it recorded. 

While this can happen outside of a courtroom, the information provided inside the courtroom is also very crucial. So, in this article, we are going to share with you some valuable tips on how to find a courtroom for hosting your legal deposition. 

Selecting a Conference Room for a Legal Deposition

Finding a good conference room for your legal deposition can be very advantageous to your case. Some of the benefits of choosing a conference room for a legal deposition include: 

It’s a Great Alternative to Office

If you are looking for a place to conduct a legal deposition and you don’t have an office, renting a conference room can be a great alternative for you. Remember, renting office spaces can be very expensive and generally not practical if you only need the space for a few days. In such a case, renting an office space would simply not be worth the amount of money you spend on it.

Guarantees Safety and Security

When conducting a legal deposition, you want your witnesses to be as comfortable and secure as possible. This is especially true if the case you are dealing with is very sensitive or high profile, which could jeopardize the safety of your witnesses. So, by renting a conference room, you can guarantee the safety and security of your witnesses by choosing one in a confidential location.

Saves You A lot of Time

Renting a conference room can save you a lot of time since you only need to check in with the management to see if they are available and book your space and time.

Provides a Professional Setting for the Deposition

Conducting your legal deposition in a conference room communicates the formal nature of the event and sets the tone for the conduct and behavior that is expected of participants.

Can Fit a Large Number of People

If you are conducting a legal deposition that involves a large number of witnesses or participants, it may be wise to hold the meeting in a conference room since it can fit multiple people.

Take Away: Here is What You Need to Consider                                                                                

When it comes to legal depositions, it is always best to ensure the conditions are right and the venue is conducive. By renting a conference room for your legal deposition, you will not only enjoy convenience and safety but also have ample space to host whatever number of people are involved in the case.

What You Should Do

Pay keen attention to your subpoena

A subpoena is a writ issued by the court requiring someone to testify or become a witness. Unfortunately, subpoenas are not optional, meaning you have to attend court if you are issued with one. With this in mind, pay attention to your subpoena since ignoring could run you into trouble.

Communicate openly with your attorney

Your attorney expects you to be open and sincere from the onset to enable them prepare a clear and workable strategy. It’s impossible for the lawyer to devise a plan if they do not know the full story.

Follow the advice of your attorney

Your attorney is the person best suited to ask for directions on how to conduct yourself once you are called as a witness. They will help you go through the entire process appropriately. Make sure you ask any questions you need to know before going to court.

Be honest and speak concisely

Honesty is a virtue that can help you have a smooth day in court. With that said answer all questions honestly and speak clearly and concisely. Nonetheless, do not go overboard by answering questions you haven’t been asked.

Dress decently

Dress decently for the trial preferably in a formal suit or a dress. In any case, the clothes you wear can go a long way to define your personality. Make sure your hair is kempt, and be conservative on the makeup.

What Not to Do

Do not come drunk

Going to court intoxicated is not only a sign of disrespect, but it could also put you on the spot. The judge or jury may not take your word seriously if they find out you are drunk or high on drugs. The same applies to normal medications. Avoid taking medicines that could make you drowsy or sleepy during the trial.

Do not daydream or wander

Always stay focused at all times during court proceedings. This will help you avoid making mistakes when it’s your turn in the witness stand.

Do not explain more than you’ve been asked to

You might be excited during your first time in the witness stand, but this does not imply you over-answer questions. Just answer the question asked unless prompted by the judge, prosecutor or your attorney.

Do not ask for a break at trial

Do not request for a break midway through a trial. You should instead wait until the judge calls for one.

Do not answer something you did not understand or hear

Do not rush to answer a question you have not understood properly, as this could turn disastrous in the end. Instead, have the questioning lawyer to expound or ask the question again.

Do not try to be humorous

Being a court witness is a serious business with no room for humor or unnecessary drama. Trying to be sarcastic or humorous could run you into trouble with the judge, and you may end up in contempt.