The need for judicial services has risen sharply in modern times. This is due to the increasing population, which seeks to resolve administrative, familial, and other issues.
For example, more than 215,030 cases were resolved in Canada in the 2022/23 period. They were resolved due to accurate court transcripts or reports provided by court reporting services.
But what do these services do? Let’s explore more about them below.
What Are Court Reporting Services?
Court reporting services are responsible for recording court events in real-time during court proceedings. Some of these events include depositions, trials, arraignments, and bond hearings.
Consider the table below to understand what each of these events mean:
Infographic 1: What Are Depositions, Bond Hearings, Trials, and Arraignments?
Court reporting services, therefore, employ people who transcribe words spoken by lawyers, judges, bailiffs, and witnesses during the above events. They ensure accuracy in legal records, which is vital for ensuring compliance.
These people are known as court reporters. They are responsible for producing precise court records. Continue reading to learn more below.
What Role Do Court Reporters Play in Legal Proceedings In Brampton?
Court reporters in Brampton play the following role in ensuring legal accuracy, as seen below.
Verbatim Transcription
These reporters not only record the words spoken by the lawyers, bailiffs, and so on, but also the pauses. In other words, they record every gap, emotional reaction, and sound.
For example, say that the witness paused three times during their testimony, and the audience was murmuring. The court reporter will record the pauses and the effect of the audience’s murmuring in the transcript.
This accuracy helps the judge make an informed decision in court.
Preserving Evidence
Due to their accuracy, the testimony recorded by the reporters is admissible in court as evidence. So, in the absence of other proof, these records can be used to punish the guilty or free the innocent.
They come in handy during events like trials due to their accuracy. For example, lawyers could use these records to prove their clients’ alibi.
Streamlining Appeals
In case a person is innocent, then their lawyers can use the records to prove their innocence. The pauses, or lack of them, mixed with other factors, ensure a high level of detail. This level of detail helps the prosecutors fairly assess the facts and come to a conclusion.
Legal Compliance
Court reporters in Brampton or any other area are legally bound to be fair, accurate, and impartial. They have to follow a detailed set of regulations like Ontario court standards, failing which they could be punished.
What Is The Importance of Court Reporting Services Available In Brampton?
Let’s take a look at the types of court reporting services and why they are important below:
Classic Court Recording
It is one of the oldest forms of court reporting and involves using a stenotype machine to record legal transcripts. Court reporters use legal shorthand to shorten sentences and type faster. In fact, trained court reporters can type up to 225 words a minute, or 1350 words an hour.
An example of a shorthand sentence would be: “How was the report delivered?”. It stands for “How was the report delivered?”
Classic court reporting is carried out in depositions, trials, and litigations. It helps avoid critical errors and prevents gaps due to the shorthand. This prevents criminals from getting off or other issues from worsening.
Real-time Reporting
Unlike in classic reporting, the court reporter translates their shorthand into readable sentences. They then display the translated text across the courtroom on monitors. This ensures that everyone can see the transcripts in real-time.
The lawyers can then read the transcripts and prepare detailed and accurate notes, which they can use to frame arguments. This form of reporting is ideal for critical court cases in Brampton, like trials. It can also be used in situations where a quick decision needs to be made.
Video Deposition Reporting
These services involve recording the testimony during a video-led deposition. The videographers record the person giving testimony on camera, while the reporters record the statement.
These transcripts are useful in cases where the person giving the testimony can’t be present themselves. Video depositions help the lawyers, judges, and jury understand the full nature of the testimony.
For example, someone living near Quebec cannot be expected to commute to Brampton every day.
Audio Reporting
It involves using high-end audio equipment like TASCAM recorders and boom mikes to accurately record the testimony. This form of reporting is carried out in smaller cases.
Audio reporting is a critical service, since it ensures that testimonies are recorded as-is, which prevents evidence tampering.
Transcription Services
Some court reporting services also offer transcription services. These services involve listening to the video or audio records and accurately noting down the words spoken. The transcriptions ensure that not even a slight discrepancy exists.
Apart from that, transcription professionals follow the Court Transcript Standards and Procedures Manual. It lists everything, like the proper template of a transcription, the type of transcript for each event, and so on.
Remote/Virtual Reporting
Finally, court reporters can remotely participate in court proceedings and record the testimony through virtual reporting services. This is convenient since the court does not have to arrange for the transport or stay of court reporters.
After recording the testimony, these reporters can send the reports to the concerned court by uploading them to a secure platform. The lawyers can access the transcripts from there.
Infographic 2: Types of Court Reporting Services
Wrapping Up
Court reporting services are vital for maintaining integrity, transparency, and accuracy in Brampton’s legal proceedings. They support legal professionals, clients, and the justice system as a whole.
They also help save innocent lives due to their accuracy.
Choose A Certified Court Reporting Service Today
You should look for reputable court reporting services near you or research online. Do remember to research these companies well and schedule consultations with them before making up your mind.