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Women appealing in the court room

Technology is changing the way attorneys build their cases, and video is just one tool that they are embracing more frequently than ever. Not only can video make it easier to do a legal deposition in San Jose when your witness lives out of the area, but video can also create an easy-to-review record for you and engaging delivery of deposition information in court. If you want to use legal videos to build your case, start by hiring a court reporter with experience in legal videos, and use these tips to make video a helpful tool in your case.

Prepare Before Filming

No matter how experienced you are in depositions, conducting a video deposition is different. For video deposition being recorded as part of a videoconferencing session with out-of-town witnesses, you will need to become accustomed to questioning people while looking directly into a camera or computer screen and adjust to hearing their answers without reading their in-person body language. If you are filming an in-person deposition, you will need to practice with the camera so that it is not a distraction and determine the best places to stand so that everyone can be seen and heard. Your court reporter can be an invaluable information resource and help you prepare for an effective video.

Get Agreement in Advance

Because witnesses in legal videos can’t be cross-examined, presenting depositions in court can sometimes lead to objections. Save time in the courtroom by securing agreements from all parties that video depositions can be used in lieu of testimony for certain witnesses. With this agreement in place, you can move into your video in court without fighting back against surprise objections.

Use Video Sparingly

During case preparation, reviewing video can be useful, but when you are building a case for a jury, use your video sparingly so that you have the maximum effect. Use transcripts prepared by court reporters to present mundane information, and only use short, pointed video clips for impeachment and other significant facts.

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