Over the past few years, video conferencing has become an increasingly popular way to stay connected. As a result of the current pandemic, video conferencing is being used more than ever before. From business meetings to doctor’s appointments, video conferencing has enabled us to stay connected even when we can’t meet in person. Video conferencing is also being used for court appearances. Whether it’s a civil or criminal trial, video conferencing offers many advantages over traditional courtroom proceedings. In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of video conferencing for court appearances and how video conferencing solutions can help facilitate the process.

What is Video Conferencing?

Video conferencing is a type of technology that allows people to communicate with one another via video and audio over the internet. It enables video, voice, and text communication between multiple parties in different locations.

Benefits of Video Conferencing for Court Appearances

There are many benefits to using video conferencing for court appearances, including the following:

1. Cost Savings – Video conferencing can save money on travel and lodging costs associated with in-person court appearances. This cost savings can be especially beneficial for remote areas, where travel and lodging expenses can quickly add up.
2. Time Savings – Video conferencing allows parties to appear in court without spending time traveling or waiting in lines. This saves time for the court system and the people involved in the proceedings.
3. Increased Convenience – Video conferencing provides a convenient way for both parties to communicate with one another. This can be especially helpful when people cannot travel to the courthouse due to physical or financial constraints or other limitations.
4. Improved Security – Some video conferencing solutions offer improved security features such as encryption and secure connection protocols that can help keep confidential information safe.

Video Conferencing Solutions for Court Appearances

There are many video conferencing solutions available that can be used for court appearances. Some popular video conferencing solutions include Skype, Zoom, GoToMeeting, and Webex. Each solution offers different features and benefits, so it is essential to research the various video conferencing solutions available before selecting one for your court appearances.

Conclusion

Video conferencing has revolutionized the way we communicate and interact with one another. As video conferencing solutions become more advanced and accessible, video conferencing will likely become the new norm for courtroom proceedings. If you’re looking for an easy and cost-effective way to attend court appearances, video conferencing is the perfect solution. From improved security to increased convenience, video conferencing offers numerous advantages over traditional in-person court appearances. For more information on video conferencing solutions for court appearances, please contact us today. We’ll be happy to help you find the perfect video conferencing solution for your needs.

Contact us today to learn more about video conferencing solutions for court appearances!

Although video technology can at times seem like an old-fashioned way to document important events, there are some situations when it is simply best to use video technologies. And for today’s attorneys, this means using video technologies in their depositions and cases.

Attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants discover that video technologies are one of the best methods for recording events, cases, and depositions.

However, not every attorney may have the exact needs and preferences for the different types of video technologies they may use in their cases.

So, what are some of the video technologies legal professionals use?

7 Types of Video Technologies Attorneys Use in Depositions and Cases

Text-Video Synchronization

One of the most popular technologies used these days is text-video synchronization. It allows an attorney to play a video file and a transcript from the same file. This is done by using a player that includes a synchronized subtitles file, which means that you will be able to synchronize all video transcript files with one another correctly.

When using text-video synchronization, it is best to start with the transcript since this is an integral part of the video file. Once you have a well-written transcript, you should add the video file.

Video Depositions

Video depositions are also becoming increasingly popular. This video technology allows you to record, edit and save video for depositions. Unlike text-video synchronization, this technology only focuses on the recording process itself.

The advantage of having video deposition files is that these can be transmitted over the internet. This means you do not have to come to the court or deposition room in person.

However, the videographer who works with you will need to have good camera skills. So make sure the quality of your video deposition is outstanding by choosing someone who has the right skills.

Video Conferencing

One of the most effective video technologies for depositions is video conferencing. However, if you use video conferencing, you must choose a reliable and easy-to-use video conferencing program. For this, many attorneys prefer to use Skype or Go To Meeting.

Apart from depositions, you can also use video conferencing for video-recorded hearings and trials. Attorneys usually use video-recorded hearings and trials to prove that they are organized and can follow court proceedings. It also proves that attorneys are present in court, providing more credibility to your case.

Mobile Video Conferencing

Mobile video conferencing is the latest technology in video deposition. It allows paralegals, legal assistants, and attorneys to record depositions anywhere they go. This is possible through laptop computers, tablets, and smartphones.

Using this technology, your videographer does not need to come to your office or go to the deposition room with you. Instead, they have to attend the deposition and start recording it. They can do this by using a tablet or smartphone while sitting in the back of the room.

However, mobile video conferencing can only be used with a reliable and stable internet connection.

Site Documentation and Inspection

Site documentation and inspection is another valuable video technology that you can use. It allows attorneys to create a virtual tour of a location – something like Google Street View.

This is beneficial for sites that are difficult to access, such as mines and oil rigs. With this technology, attorneys can see the site and study it even if they cannot physically access it.

When using this technology, make sure you hire a highly skilled videographer. Your videographer will need to take several shots from different angles and ensure that all details are correctly captured.

The Use of Video Clips in Court

Using video clips in court can be very useful. There are situations where an attorney might want to show a clip from a movie or other moving pictures.

When showing a clip from a movie in court, you want to make sure it is relevant and necessary. It should also be short and easy to understand. If you cannot show a quick and relevant clip, do not show it because it can only waste the judge’s time.

Day-in-the-Life Videos

A day-in-the-life video is an excellent type of video deposition that you can use. It presents an overview of how a person performs their job.

An attorney can show this video to a jury, judge, and other involved people in the case. For example, if you are helping a client who wants to sue their employer for wrongful termination, you can create a day-in-the-life video showing what the client does on a typical day.

When creating this type of video, hiring an experienced videographer who can do the job well is crucial. In addition, the videographer should have good audio and video skills so that they can capture everything about the day-in-the-life of your client.

Conclusion

When it comes to the different types of video deposition and technologies available, you will need to choose the right one for your case. If you want to find out more about different types of video technologies, then you should contact a reliable and experienced legal videographer. They can provide more details on the different kinds of video deposition technologies available.

So what are the rules for video conference recordings in court?

Well, the court may allow you to use the recording of a video conference to preserve testimony. However, you have to plan adequately, considering that video conference recordings are not the same as typical video recordings made by a legal videographer – they have to meet certain specifications, and must possess particular features for the court to allow these recordings.

Therefore, for a video conference recording to be admissible in court, it must capture the sound and image from the conference, including any variations e.g. lags, static and delays. This is very important, since anything that may cause the testimony to appear erroneous, flawed, disjointed or inaccurate could make the video conference recording inadmissible.

Additionally, a video conference must comply with the Civil Rule 30 (b) (8) procedures that provide an outline for video recording of depositions and interrogations. The rule states that you may video record a deposition of any witness or party without leave of court if you have a written notice served to all parties involved not less than 20 days before the date of deposition.

The recording will in most cases require a court order for it to be admissible in court. Alternatively, you may request for a stipulation in order or a written notice before you can present your video conference recording. If your recording complies with all the requirements, it is highly likely that the court will find it admissible.

Most importantly, you must seek permission from the court to conduct a deposition using video conference recording in accordance with Civil Rule 30 (b) (4) and Civil Rule 30 (b) (7). Moreover, both parties should have a formal agreement in any provision that clearly designates the person who will take the deposition before the court proceedings commence. This is a requirement according to Civil Rule 30 (b) (4).

Previously, it was somehow difficult for courts to allow depositions via video conference recordings. Fortunately, this is no longer the case. Following changes in the law, video conferencing with witness is now a viable option. You just need to follow the rules for your recordings to be admissible in court.  

So why are video conference recordings popular in most courts?

 Using video conference recordings in court is not only convenient, but also cost effective. It can go a long way to improve the process of administering justice, and saving on costs spent on bringing witnesses to court for deposition and interrogation. You therefore need to ensure that your video conference recordings comply with all the rules and requirements. In addition, all parties involved in the case must agree to the use of this type of technology before the commencement of court proceedings.

These days, your best bet to have a conference where not everyone can be physically present is to either web conference or video conference. These two options are both good, but which is better?

When it comes to conferencing, it’s usually the most efficient way to take depositions, even when in remote locations. Even if the witness is at the same address as the court reporter, the attorneys may not be present. However, the witness and the attorney can both be connected to a computer or table software that lets them see and hear the other.

The software that allows for video streaming of each party allows the attorney to ask deposition questions. The witness can then in turn answer, just as if both were in the same room. What legal video conferencing allows parties to do is have a deposition even if the parties are in separate rooms from each other. This does require a room with specialized equipment, a large screen, cameras, speakers, microphones, and a hard-wired connection.

Technology has improved to the point where computers, smart phones, and tablets can remote stream with good quality. However, videoconferencing offers unique benefits in that the quality of the video and audio is often unmatched. It lets a deposition go on when both parties are not in the same room, but it also requires a room with the equipment to do so.

While videoconferencing used to be the only traditional option for depositions when you had a remote party, technology is now challenging what used to be a monopoly in the field. Web conferencing may save you lots of cost as well as allow you to conduct a deposition remotely using your laptop, mobile device, or tablet. It’s much more economical and is an attractive option, particularly if a room-based option like video conferencing seems too expensive.

At the end of the day, it’s up to you which option you choose. Web conferencing has advanced to the point where it is nearly as convenient as video is and does not require any specially dedicated equipment. Since it works using nearly any device, it’s also a practical choice. However, no one can argue that if you choose to do video for your deposition that the conferencing will provide unrivaled high-quality video and audio.

What’s the big difference? Video uses special equipment, while web conferencing can be done using a simple computer. Knowing you have a good connection to the Internet is key for this to work for web conferencing, however, and not all computer webcams or tablet cams are going to necessarily deliver the quality you want. So if you do go the route of web conferencing, make sure your technology quality and connection are high.

You may end up choosing web or video off of your preferences. Maybe you don’t have time or the budget to go video, or simply desire the convenience of web conferencing. Think about which works best for you and then go for it!