FAQs

We’re flexible and try to make deposition scheduling the easiest part of your day!  Choose one of the following options to schedule your deposition:

• Fill out the Schedule a Deposition form.
• Call us at 800-700-3566.
• Email us at info@smithreporting.net.

Smith Reporting court reporters arrive on-site approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of your proceeding in order to set up their equipment. If your deposition is being held in a location other than a Smith Reporting office, please provide us with contact information for someone who can provide our court reporter access to the conference room. This enables Smith Reporting to ensure the proceeding will start on time.

Standard turnaround is 10 to 14 days. However, Smith Reporting recognizes every case is unique, and expedited delivery is always available.

For your convenience, we are happy to provide both full size and condensed (4 per page) hard copy versions of your transcript, with word indexes for quick reference.

If you prefer an electronic copy, we can email you a transcript in YesLaw PDF (.pdf file), a RealLegal E-Transcript (.ptx file), or ASCII format (.txt file). If you need a specific file format and don’t see it here, please contact us and we will do our best to accommodate!

Real-time reporting is exactly what it sounds like. The court reporter’s laptop will be linked to the the attorney’s laptop, which allows the attorney to instantly view a translation of what the reporter is writing on his/her steno machine as it is happening, in real-time.

Rough ASCII is a file format (.txt file) sometimes requested by attorneys for file compatibility with the attorney’s litigation support software. If an attorney wishes to receive a copy of a deposition or court proceeding in this unedited format, Smith Reporting is happy to provide it.

The short answer is: very quickly!

Smith Reporting court reporters type at a minimum speed of 225 words per minute.  Our reporters use a computerized stenotype machine in combination with a specialized form of shorthand that enables us to write whole words and phrases with a single stroke.

Video depositions are scheduled in the same manner as traditional depositions. Simply specify ‘video’ in your deposition request and we will arrange for our videographer to attend and videotape the deposition. The videos will be sent to you by the videographer. We offer video depositions on VHS/Mini DV, DVD, USB drive, and synchronized with the transcript on CD-ROM or DVD.

Smith Reporting’s videographers arrive on-site one hour before the scheduled start time of your proceeding in order to setup cameras, microphones, and lighting equipment. If your proceeding is being held in a location other than a Smith Reporting office, please provide us with contact information for someone who can provide our videographer access to the conference room. This enables Smith Reporting to ensure the proceeding will start on time.

When you order video synchronization, you will receive a copy of your deposition on DVD that plays the video on one side of the screen with the text from the transcript synchronized and flowing on the other side.

Our videographers use a program called YesLaw, which is designed for the attorney to use without the need for a technician. The delivered product includes a built-in player; you will not need a special program to run it. The program enables you to search the file by page and line number, or by keyword, and go directly to that point in the video. YesLaw also allows you to create clips of any number of questions/answers and create a video of only the clips you want to show. The clips can be played directly or be placed in other presentation software.

Videoconference depositions are depositions conducted over an internet connection through the use of webcams. Videoconferencing is an economical way to depose an out of town witness without needing to be there in person. Get the same face-to-face impact from your depositions without the hassle and expense of traveling– contact Smith Reporting today to ask about scheduling your next videoconference deposition.

As long as your firm is utilizing the services of Smith Reporting, we will maintain your documents in our repository.

No. The Document Repository is free of charge for clients utilizing the services of Smith Reporting. We are happy to provide this convenient service to you.