6 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Court Reporter
If you have been tasked with hiring a court reporter, you may rely on a quick internet search or referrals from colleagues to start narrowing down your choices. Avoid surprises or delays along the way by asking the following questions to help you find a qualified court reporting agency.
What Is Included in Your Rate?
Expect the court reporter you hire to be upfront about what their services cost. When comparing rates, consider everything you get for the price. For instance, some firms may offer access to valuable add-on services for no extra fee, including 24/7 case management information, a digital document depository, and conference room space. Then again, other firms charge for these services separately, so make sure you know what you’re getting.
What Licensing and Certifications Do Your Court Reporters Have?
To legally work in the state, San Jose court reporters must obtain a California Certified Shorthand Reporter License. It’s also wise to hire a stenographer in good standing with the Court Reporters Board of California. These credentials ensure the court reporter you hire has the skills necessary to transcribe accurate testimonies during the court proceedings.
Can Your Court Reporters Handle Complicated Testimonies?
If your case involves technical language or medical terminology, it’s reasonable to request a court reporter with experience handling these sorts of testimonies. At the very least, you want a stenographer with years of experience transcribing the spoken word into shorthand to ensure fewer pauses and interruptions during the proceedings.
What Is Your Turnaround Time?
Court reporting firms typically have a “regular delivery” schedule or a set number of days clients can expect to receive their final transcripts. Find out the standard turnaround time for your type of case, as well as options for expediting the process if you need your transcript sooner. Confirm whether you will have access to rough drafts and electronic transcripts when required.
What Are Your Service Areas?
While it’s great to find a local San Jose court reporter you can build a relationship with, you may need regional, national, or global coverage to perform remote depositions with long-distance witnesses. A broad service area also takes the uncertainty out of finding a court reporter if you need to prepare a case out of state.
What Services Besides Court Reporting Do You Offer?
It’s beneficial to work with a court reporter that can provide all the supporting litigation services you need. These may be delivered in-house, or the firm may have relationships with local service providers, allowing them to arrange legal videography, interpreting, and other related services required for your case. This saves time, money, and effort compared to finding individual providers on your own.
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 court reporting and transcribing services, video and audio conferencing, remote depositions, and much more. For additional information about our services, or to request a cost estimate, please contact us today.