Transcription services are critical in any business venture. They’re particularly important in the legal world, where companies have many audio files to transcribe. From court proceedings to witness testimonies and interviews, transcription services offer fast-to-scan text documents which are easy to read. Legal transcriptionists, in particular, have years of experience in the legal field, providing top-tier transcriptions to help attorneys in law firms. Here are more reasons to invest in a legal transcription service.
What are Transcription Services in the Legal Field?
A legal transcription service is a provider that offers transcription services to a law firm. The provider transcribes legal proceedings from an audio file, converting it into text or a digital format. The result is an accurate verbatim recording of the judge, jury and witness testimonies lawyers can use to:
• Develop trial plans
• Understand the jury’s or judge’s decision
• Develop questions to ask witnesses
• Enable lawyers to create a plan for appeals
• Provide evidence
• Provide a reference point when studying law in school
Why Use Transcription Services in a Law Firm
Law firms often have numerous pending cases that need reviewing, and having legal transcriptions keeps them more organised and improves the chances of a positive outcome. Here are other reasons law firms must use transcription services.
Better Accessibility
With legal transcripts, it’s easier to find information than with audio recordings. You can scan the written text easily, identifying crucial points to help build your case. In addition, a legal transcript can be stored in different file formats, which are easy to share and retrieve. Judges, colleagues and lawyers can retrieve it from a computer, database or filing cabinet when printed.
Easy to Scan Format
Legal transcriptions have timestamps and speaker identification that help the reader keep track of the events and their flow. This is critical for lawyers when building cases and identifying inconsistencies in witnesses’ testimonies. In addition, lawyers can share the transcripts with jurors and other lawyers during trial, reducing the risk of misinterpretation.
Helps Bridge Cultural Gaps
Legal transcription plays a critical role during international legal proceedings. If the witnesses are non-English speakers, the transcription provider engages a multidisciplinary team to translate the proceedings after transcribing them. Since professional transcription services are conversant with different dialects, they can easily interpret the recordings and develop an efficient legal transcription outcome.
Accurate Record of Court Proceedings
Legal transcriptions provide an accurate account of the testimonies, depositions and other court proceedings. Lawyers can use them to prepare for cases, especially if they’re complex, e.g., those involving many witnesses or confusing police reports.
Share Information with Absent People
Some family members may be absent during the trial, but with a legal transcript, it’s easy for them to follow the proceedings. The transcriptions also help them understand areas they may struggle to comprehend due to language barriers. Similarly, people with hearing difficulties can review the transcription and details they may have missed.
Highlight Important Information
Typed or written legal transcripts are superior to audio files. It easily highlights important parts of the documents, which may come in handy when formulating questions. The highlighted areas also make it easy to access the information many times.
When do You Engage Transcription Services?
Transcription services are important during court proceedings like:
• Interrogations: Transcriptions come in handy when documenting witnesses’ testimonies, non-verbal behaviour and facial expressions
• Pleadings: This is the most important part of any legal proceeding. The plaintiff files a complaint that sets forth the motion, while the defendant responds by implementing a defence strategy. Transcribing this stage provides a reference point lawyers can revisit and build a case
• Subpoenas: These are documents a court issues to compel witnesses to provide information. A transcriptionist takes notes on behalf of the lawyer
• Phone calls: Sometimes, lawyers use phone calls and wiretaps to validate allegations. When the phone calls are transcribed, lawyers can analyse the information and identify critical details
Why Must You Invest in Transcription Services?
Without a doubt, investing in transcription services is critical. Not only do they provide an easy-to-scan transcript but they also offer an accurate account of court proceedings. Transcription also goes a long way in bridging cultural gaps during international court proceedings that involve non-English speakers. Be sure to enlist the help of legal transcriptionists to ensure accurate interpretation of all the proceedings.