A Professional Video Deposition is Far Better than a Legal Transcript
The dramatic or persuasive performance by a witness on the stand is making a gigantic difference in a case. Without a legal video of a deposition, that visual message is lost. The use of a video deposition can make all the difference in an effective courtroom presentation strategy. Nothing can make the point more effectively than video. When juries see and hear the facts for themselves, it can make a gigantic difference. High definition, broadcast-quality legal videos make depositions far more engaging.
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Having the right Courtroom Technology can make all the difference in winning a case. Be prepared, call SA Legal Solutions.
Legal videographer can do more than just depositions! Having the proper videography in the courtroom is critical to your success.
Court Reporter typically utilizes many different skills in the courtroom.
Legal videographers shoot, produce, and edit broadcast-quality videos of depositions and other legal proceedings to help attorneys tell the complete story. Professional legal videos provide compelling and irrefutable evidence for everyone to see.
Video Depositions Save Time and Money
Remote participation is a simple process through streaming on secure, private systems. Save time and money when there is a need to depose a witness in a distant location. Expert witnesses and consulting attorneys use streaming to view depositions and then offer insights and observations.
Whatever the case situation and strategy, regardless of the case, a video deposition will make or break a case. Usually when an attorney has a distant, very busy expert witness. Furthermore, if there is a witness who I confined to a bed or medical facility, a remote deposition is the answer. Modern technology in the hands of trained legal video specialists will easily handle any deposition needs.
A Great Video Deposition Requires Great Visibility and Sound Quality in Court
The best made video deposition will not succeed if it is not displayed well in the courtroom. It is essential to have a courtroom video presentation service that has the right displays, monitors, projectors, computers, and screens to insure that the audience can see and hear everything on the video. All of these systems need to be tested in advance, and a back-up for everything must be on-hand to insure success. The technician and legal team must practice the presentation in advance to make sure that everything has a logical flow that can be easily understood.
Prepare Witnesses for Better Results in a Video Deposition
Depositions of the past only required witness preparation regarding the words they say. Today, video depositions take preparation a step further to include the way they look and sound. Attorneys are benefiting from a legal video expert who assists in witness preparation before the camera rolls.
Litigation attorneys have a great case, but unless a witness comes across professionally with credibility, trust and believability might be questioned. An expert witness who stammers and acts nervous, is not professionally dressed. As a witness, you speak clearly and with confidence. Someone being put forward as an expert needs to look and sound the part. In addition, facts and accurate information continue to be important. Nevertheless, the use of a video deposition requires careful visual preparation.
The attention of the viewers, which may include jurors, of a video deposition will be on the face. Have your witnesses practice in advance of the video deposition. They need to control facial expressions, avoid such things as rolling the eyes, and always maintain eye contact with the questioner. They should have an appearance that they are fully engaged in the questioning. With practice they can and should appear confident and relaxed at all times.
Prepare Witnesses for Better Results in a Video Deposition
Depositions of the past only required witness preparation regarding the words they say. Video depositions take preparation a step further to include the way they look and sound. Attorneys benefit from a legal video expert who can also assist in witness preparation before the camera rolls.
Litigation attorneys can have a great case, but unless a witness comes across professionally with credibility, trust and believability might be questioned. An expert witness who stammers and acts nervous, is not professionally dressed, who does not speak clearly and with confidence can do more harm than good. Someone who is being put forward as an expert needs to look and sound the part. Facts and accurate information continue to be important, but the use of a video deposition requires careful visual preparation.
The attention of the viewers, which may include jurors, of a video deposition will be on the face. Have your witnesses practice in advance of the video deposition. They need to control facial expressions, avoid such things as rolling the eyes, and always maintain eye contact with the questioner. They should have an appearance that they are fully engaged in the questioning. With practice they can and should appear confident and relaxed at all times.
Logistical Concerns
Preparing in advance for any deposition or testimony in court is always wise. Actual practice in front of cameras is helpful to relieve nerves and to study the appearance of the witness on the screen. A video that is projected to a large screen will make the witness larger than life. You will have imperfections that are much more noticeable. Practice should include watching the practice session on a display that is at least as large was what other potential viewers will see.
Evaluate everything, including the choice of clothing, sound quality, and ask sample viewers, “do you believe this person?” Another issue regarding sound that is often overlooked is that if the witness wears a mic, any side conversations could be recorded and could be ruled no longer subject to attorney-client privilege.
The Video Deposition
All the standard advice an attorney gives to witnesses will also apply to a video deposition. Such things as only answer what is asked and do not volunteer information. Do not make anything up. If you do not know the answer just say so, and always wait for the questioning attorney to completely finish each question before responding. Never hesitate to ask that a question be reworded or explained. Remember that clips from the video deposition can be used by the opposing attorney.
Attorneys need to take advantage of modern courtroom technology, not only to present evidence but to know how to use it to find ways to discredit inconsistent evidence presented by the adversary. A good trial presentation that is professional not only wins cases, it enables attorneys to have greater control over the way each witness is perceived.
Legal video services can enable attorneys to take full control of the video deposition of their witness, and highlight and get the audience to focus on the negative portions of any hostile witness that has been deposed on video as well. Video is an effective way to present evidence as well as discredit it.
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