How Real Time Transcription Helps Litigators

By: Colleen Jilio-Ryan | Posted in: Court Transcription

In most cases, getting something sooner is better than getting it later. In the case of your transcriptions services, real time is not only better—it’s also more accessible, easier to search and more convenient for attorneys.

Real time transcription has taken court reporting into the 21st century. It combines the tried and true reliability of the stenotype machine with the latest in cutting edge computing to deliver real-time captioning of everything that takes place within a courtroom.

Real Time Transcription: How it Works

While real time transcription changes a lot about how court documents are created and information is disseminated, it has not changed the way court reporters do their jobs.

They still use stenotype machines—with the same 22 keys to document everything that is said in a courtroom. What is new is how the stenotype machines process the data. Instead of being stored, printed and transcribed hours (or even days later), however, real time stenograph machines are connected to computers.

Using the latest technology, the computers digitally transcribe the information being inputted into the stenograph machine. The result is immediate transcription. The benefits to litigators are numerous.

Real Time Transcription: How it Helps Litigators

If you can imagine a world where the key combinations of the court reporter are instantly transcribed into easy-to-understand text and sent to your computer, you’re probably already imagining all the benefits you can reap:

• No more long waits for transcripts
• The ability to make annotations while the court proceedings are occurring
• A significantly reduced need to take notes during legal proceedings
• The ability to quickly and easily search for keywords, review what has been said—and jump back to the current transcription—and even highlight specific passages so that it can be reviewed at a later time.

In addition, databases full of transcripts from years’ and years’ worth of legal proceedings can be created. This affords litigators the ability to search thousands’ of hours of court transcripts simply, efficiently and, most importantly, effectively.

Real time transcription also makes it possible for the record of a court proceeding to be transmitted immediately, in close-captioned form, to attorneys, partners and other interested parties anywhere in the world. This unprecedented access to transcripts saves time and money. It also makes legal teams–especially those working with international clients–more effective.

Imagine deposing a witness in one state at the exact same time the transcripts are being transmitted, via live video stream, directly to your co-council.

Another significant advantage of real time transcription is the ability to synchronize the transcription with the video. Using time stamps, it is possible to fast forward, rewind and pause the transcripts at the exact same time the video is fast forwarded, rewound or paused. This capability makes deconstructing arguments and constructing counterarguments–much easier. It increases your ability to be strategic. It also allows you to know, with absolute precision, every word uttered by every single person whose testimony is being taken.

In most cases, getting what you want and need sooner is much better than getting it later. This is incredibly true in the world of transcription. Faster is better. And thanks to real time transcription–and remember, it does not get any faster than real time transcription–you can get what it is you want more quickly than ever before. Real time transcription saves you money and time. It makes you more efficient and more effective.