4 Things You Need To Know About Hiring A Court Reporter
Posted on: 22 June 2016
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It is not uncommon to hire a court reporter for a deposition or some other legal proceeding. If you are new to hiring court reporters, you might be wondering what you should plan on when hiring a reporter. Here are some things that you should expect when you hire a court reporter.
1. There May Be Additional Fees In Addition To Time
You should always ask about the range of fees that the court reporter will charge. They may not only charge for their time, but they might charge for traveling, transcripts and much more. It is important that, before you hire any reporter, you ask about all the fees. This way you won't be surprised when you get the final bill.
2. Every Reporter's Turnaround Time Is Different
In some cases you will be on a strict time frame and need the transcripts from the proceeding right away. Court reporters will transcribe the proceedings in shorthand, which means they cannot hand you the transcript right as the proceedings finish. They will need time to retype the whole thing. This is why it is important to ask beforehand how quickly they can get you the transcript. If you need it rushed there could be an additional fee, so it is always best to ask beforehand.
3. You Might Be Able To Use The Reporters Conference Room
In some cases, you will need a conference room to hold the deposition; some court-reporting firms will have their own conference room that they can use. This could even save you money in traveling fees. This is why it is important to recognize that, in some instances, you can use their building, if needed, for your deposition.
4. Get Credentials Before Hiring A Court Reporter
Lastly, you should always ask for certification and credentials before you hire a court reporter. Just because someone can write in short hand doesn't make them certified to report a deposition. They need to have specific certification to make them qualified to transcribe the events. If they lack those credentials, the documents may be invalid and not acknowledged by a judge or the opposing counsel. You don't want to repeat a deposition because the court reporter wasn't properly certified. This is why you should always ask about credentials beforehand.
By understanding these things, you can have the best experience possible with hiring a court reporter. Click here for more information on hiring court reporters.