Practical Tips for Improving Virtual Depositions

October Practical Tips

Practical Tips for Improving Virtual Depositions in San Jose

Virtual depositions have become a mainstay in the legal world, offering convenience and cost savings for everyone involved. But with this digital shift, attorneys now face new challenges that can disrupt the process. If you’re preparing for a remote deposition, follow these practical tips to overcome the most common obstacles.

Technical Glitches

Nothing derails a deposition faster than tech issues. Take the following precautions before the deposition starts:

Test your equipment: Make sure your microphone, camera, and internet connection are in good shape.
Use a wired connection: Wi-Fi is convenient, but a direct connection reduces the chance of dropped calls or choppy video during critical testimony.
Have a backup plan: Keep a secondary device, like a smartphone or another laptop, ready in case your primary setup fails mid-deposition.

Distractions

Background noises, interruptions, or cluttered visuals can pull focus from your witness or the important points being made. Here’s how to maintain professionalism:

Choose a quiet, well-lit space: Pick a room where you won’t be interrupted by kids, pets, or the neighbor’s lawnmower. Close the windows, silence your phone, and frame the camera strategically to avoid a messy background.
Consider renting a conference room: If you don’t have a quiet home or office to hold virtual depositions, reserve a private conference room in San Jose. There, you’ll have access to a fast, secure internet connection and the assurance of no interruptions.
Encourage others to do the same: It’s not just your setup that matters—make sure all parties involved are in controlled environments when the deposition starts.

Expectations

Remote depositions feel less formal, but they still demand the same decorum as in-person sessions. Lay out these clear expectations at the beginning:

Mute when not speaking: This avoids background noise and keeps things flowing.
Use hand gestures or the chat: If someone needs to speak, having a clear, pre-agreed method (like raising a hand or sending a chat message) prevents people from talking over each other.
Take scheduled breaks: Long depositions can be tiring, so plan for breaks every 60 to 90 minutes.

Recording and Transcription Pitfalls

Recording virtual depositions helps court reporters generate accurate transcriptions. To avoid disruptions that could lead to gaps in the official record, follow these tips:

Choose the right software: Platforms like Zoom or Webex are popular, but make sure they meet your security needs and have the proper recording features.
Double-check the output: After the deposition, review the recording to ensure the video and audio were captured correctly before concluding the session.

Document Sharing

You can’t pass around physical documents when everyone is participating remotely. Here’s how to overcome this challenge:

Grant digital access: Use secure document-sharing platforms to provide access to exhibits and other materials in advance.
Ready your screen-sharing tools: Test your ability to share your screen if you anticipate introducing new documents during the deposition. But don’t rely solely on this—always have a backup plan, such as emailing the documents, if screen sharing fails.

At Talty Court Reporters, we utilize the latest technology to deliver the very best results in your legal case. Turn to us for top-quality remote depositions, video and audio conferencing, court reporting and transcribing services, and much more. For additional information about our services or to request a cost estimate, please contact us today.