Things to Do As A Witness

• Be Open With Your Attorney 

You are advised to be open and honest at all times. If you know the real story, however scandalous it is, the attorney will know the strategies to employ in the case.

• Honor Your Subpoena

When you get a subpoena, you should not ignore it as they are enforceable documents. Further, honoring all your subpoenas will make things easier for you during the underlying case, and even beyond it.

• Be Honest and Concise in Your Testimony 

When giving your testimony, answer all the questions in a clear and concise manner, and make sure to tell the truth. Lying will only make things more complicated for you.

• Dress Accordingly 

Courtrooms are formal places, and the outfit you wear as you take the stand should reflect that. Ideally, choose a formal outfit such as a well-pressed, suit and formal shoes, and avoid overdoing your hair and/or makeup. Also, go for dull colors as they fit the courtroom more than loud or bright colors.

• Listen to Your Attorney 

Your attorney knows all the things to do or say when doing a disposition, or giving testimony in court. So, before you take the stand, talk with them and ask all questions in regards to the whole process. Inform them of your fears and concerns and ask them for expert tips. 

Things Not to Do

• Don’t Over-Answer Questions 

When asked a question, give a clear and concise answer without going into much detail or explanations, unless prompted. This will save you from making contradicting statements.

• Don’t Try to Be Cute or Funny 

Being a witness in court is very much different from being a guest at the Ellen Show. While giving your testimony, try to be serious. Avoid the temptation to be sarcastic or flippant, as some judges may not take it kindly. Also remember that anything you say in court, including jokes, will be recorded, and taken literally – so only say things you mean.

• Don’t Space Out

Being a witness requires maximum focus and concentration to the questions asked. Avoid getting distracted or daydreaming, as it could result in (costly) mistakes.

• Don’t Answer A Question You Didn’t Comprehend 

If you didn’t hear or understand a question, request to have it asked again to avoid giving wrong answers that may cost you.

• Don’t Be Drunk! 

Really, this one is self-explanatory. Apart from alcohol and drugs making you look like a fool when answering questions, they may also make you drowsy and incoherent. In some cases, you may be held in contempt of court if you’re too intoxicated. 

Court reporters take down information in a legal or serious setting so that there is an official record of events. Court reporting agencies offer these services by having qualified reporters that know how to do their jobs! Far from being replaceable by a machine or a computer, the great thing about this field is how it appreciates and needs people that are efficient, detail-oriented, smart, and trustworthy.

Typing quickly is important, but it’s also the type of career that is good for people who are organized and fastidious about the little things. This is why so many opt to go with an agency that has reliable, certified reporters that are going to be able to provide that invaluable legal record of event (especially when compared to technological options).

Check Online for Reviews

Get a good feel about the type of agency that they are by going online. Bad reviews that have the same thing in common may be a red flag. You want to collaborate with an agency that seems to have a positive reputation and is professional.

Gauge Their Service Levels

How good or poor is their service? Do they return inquiries and messages (voicemail, email, etc.) in a timely and prompt fashion? Do they seem professional and provide great customer service, able to answer every question that you might have? Check out their website and make a call to find out.

Do Your Hiring Research

When hiring an agency, make sure that you do research first. Find out what they’re about and see what you like or dislike about them. Make a list of candidates and cross off those you find unappealing as you go.

See If They Travel

Better to see if an agency has a travel feature before you hire them than after! Check and make sure they’ve got reporters that travel or if you need to search elsewhere. You may also want to see that they provide equipment and any other features that they offer beforehand when hiring (such as travel, scheduling, videoconferencing, equipment, fees, etc.).

Look For Certification

If you’re getting certified and want to work with an agency or want certified reporters, that’s one aspect to keep in mind.

End Result: Transcript

Last but not least, the transcript. Do they have the ability to produce a timely and accurate transcript? That’s the main thing when looking to hire an agency.

Be selective and follow our guidelines and you’re likely to find a great court reporting agency with all of the requirements that you need!

A realtime service may seem like a good idea, but is it? Who would know better than a court reporter? The first thing that any reporter will tell you is that you should meet with a reporter or reporting firm. That way you can have any drivers or software programs loaded into your computer. This may include things such as Case Map or Case Notebook.

If you are working with a reporter for the first time, the meeting may help you resolve connectivity issues if you are using your personal laptop. You don’t want to have any issues when you are trying to do a hearing or a deposition. It should all be resolved before. Ask a reporter to bring a device with the software if you don’t have the proper software or ability.

You’ll also want to install software onto your computer if that is not an option. A transcript is going to be provided by the reporter and that is the point of it all, so be sure to make sure that they either have everything that they need or they have what is required of you.

Reporters often write things out using phonetics so don’t worry that the grammar or a typo will show up. It won’t be there in the final transcript; it will edited and corrected once the document is reviewed or the stenographer will be able to go back and correct it when there is a moment.

A reporter will be able to speak up and get clarification if they have missed anything as well. The accuracy level and skill that a reporter brings to these type of events simply cannot be denied. They also have the experience necessary to be able to speak up and get the correct word or sentence on record.

A reporter usually will send over a rough draft that has been cleaned up as part of a service. That way you can review everything and make notes. Not every service offers this and not all reporters work with realtime so request this specifically if you would like it and get a realtime reporter.

These reporters often have certifications that show how proficient they are at reporting. Two of the best certifications are CCRR and CRR, which require speed tests that are times and high rates of translation to receive. Realtime allows for sending transcripts to other places and allows for making notes, testimony, seeing questions and answers, and more right in the moment and not after.

If you’re an attorney and haven’t tried this service yet, test it out and see what you think! You may be thrilled with the results and the options that it affords you– and all in real time. Check it out and you may be glad that you did.