Why You Should Videotape Your Future Depositions

By: Colleen Jilio-Ryan | Posted in: Remote Deposition

Video deposition with a well-prepared witness not only helps capture a jury’s attention but increases your case’s credibility in ways beyond depositions with a transcript alone. Although a video carries much weight for a jury, a video accompanied by text deposition can be ten times more effective in court cases.

The Code of Civil Procedure in California has specified the legal requirements for a video deposition to be recorded in a specific way. Read on to learn more about how you should conduct your upcoming video depositions.

Video Depositions Are Important in Litigations

Legal video deposition can make a huge difference in your court cases. When litigation starts, you want to have the most accurate and reliable statements possible. With today’s technology, video depositions are a step up from written transcripts. Here’s why video depositions are important for your litigations:

• Inexpensive and Uncomplicated Technology

  One of the main benefits of using videos in the courtroom is that the technology is inexpensive and can be managed easily. The visual aspect is compelling as well, especially on the big screen.

• Strong Form of Acceptable Evidence

  Judges and juries like to see videos, as they convey information quickly. It’s a reliable form of evidence if your state allows video depositions.

Video Depositions Are Helpful in Remote Depositions

Video depositions are popularly used by judges to listen to an individual’s testimony when they can’t present themselves in the courtroom or to interview children for a case. Thus, legal depositions act as an important tool to obtain legal testimony of remote witnesses. Also, conducting a video deposition remotely, saves time and money.

Things to Avoid for a Successful Video Deposition

Video depositions are extremely helpful in recording a statement accurately and storing it for the record. A well-executed video deposition provides insight not just into the solid facts of the case but also on the implicit messages being conveyed through witnesses’ body language. Although the final DVD quality is the responsibility of the videographer, while conducting your video deposition, there are certain things you should avoid for a successful video deposition.

• Don’t mumble
• Don’t show emotions in the room
• Eliminate any background noise
• Never do it on your own

Tips for Successful Video Depositions

Using video purposefully in your depositions can enhance the trial efficacy, providing you and your client better results. If you are interested in a video, get in touch with your court reporter to help you set up a video deposition. There are some key tips you can follow to achieve a successful video deposition.

• Eliminate distortion
• Set up earlier
• Have ample space
• Consider one person at a time
• Avoid visual or voice obstruction
• Make the right arrangements

With slight planning, you can smartly use video in your depositions to get the most of this technology. Need to plan an upcoming video deposition? Contact us today to learn more about legal deposition videography or to schedule a deposition with us!