How many times have you heard that machines will take over the world? Countless films and books range from dire predictions to more positive ones where we collaborate. Even the court reporting world isn’t spared. Nevertheless, court reporters in Miami are positive about the future because they know AI can’t replace them. Instead, they’re working together.
Pros and Cons of Digital Recording
With the advent of voice-to-text technology, it’s tempting to think that a piece of software can produce transcripts. As anyone who has ever read transcripts knows, perhaps of online videos, there are usually many mistakes.
When people speak quickly, the words get jumbled up together and digital technology struggles to differentiate the separate words. Moreover, accents add another level of complexity that again, the software often misinterprets.
Nevertheless, whether court reporters in Miami are using video or audio recordings, they are very useful backup tools. Some courts even use parts of these recordings as exhibits later on in a case. This simplifies things because those recordings can be stored on a cloud and anyone can easily access them during a deposition.
Overall, digital recordings offer these benefits:
- Fast delivery
- Real-time
- Location-free
Fast delivery
Clearly, when recording something, the final output is instantly available. Before digital tools were available, final transcripts could take several days. These days, they’re ready immediately although it’s worth noting they haven’t been proofread. You still need court reporters in Miami to complete that final step.
Real-time
With computer-aided transcription software (CAT), you can watch on a remotely connected computer what’s being said turned into written words. Moreover, attorneys can write notes directly in the script to refer back to later.
Location-free
Alongside digital recording is digital connecting. Depositions can now be held via video conference and witnesses can even be sworn in remotely by court reporters in Miami. This approach cuts travel costs as well as room hiring costs.
When Things go Wrong
In some cases, courts can save money by simply pressing the record button rather than hiring a court reporter. From a short-term view point of view, this seems fast and easy. The long-term view though is that courts take a big risk when they do this.
Essentially, if anything goes wrong, they have no one to turn to. Furthermore, a recording can’t be responsible for its own accuracy but a person can be held accountable.
Instead, court reporters in Miami mitigate these digital risks:
- Inaccurate
- Increased maintenance costs
- Technical issues
Inaccurate
Any digital recording needs to be verified and validated by court reporters in Miami. Any error, no matter how small, can jeopardize the case or deposition. So, reporters have their shorthand notes to refer to whilst they confirm the recordings.
Increased maintenance costs
Many people state that digital recordings are cheaper but you have to consider the long-term to get an accurate view. We all know that digital tools go wrong and need updating. Both software and hardware need replacing on a regular basis which is expensive.
Technical issues
Court reporters in Miami are also responsible for checking any equipment before a deposition. Things still go wrong though but with a court reporter in the room, they can always revert back to pen and paper. They are all trained in shorthand note taking so this wouldn’t phase any of them.
How Court Reporters in Miami use Digital Tools
Change always brings uncertainty and fear. Yes, technological change impacts jobs where some evolve, some go and some new ones are created. Nevertheless, those court reporters in Miami who can adapt are the ones paving the way for the future.
Currently, there’s a shortage of court reporters and one person can only do so much. With digital tools, court reporters in Miami can work faster and more accurately. Why not use the tools at our disposal to be more effective?
Moreover, reporters play an important role as a liaison between the digital and human worlds. So, they’ll make sure people know how to log into remote depositions or how to annotate real-time transcripts.
In summary, court reporters in Miami ensure the following:
- Backup recordings
- Real-time transcripts
- Manage people to work with digital
Backup recordings
Court reporters can work much faster thanks to backup recordings. Moreover, it’s quicker to proofread a written document created by CAT software than it is to type up shorthand notes.
Real-time transcripts
Digital-savvy reporters are adept at managing these tools and can guide others in using them effectively. So, attorneys get the information they need faster than ever.
Manage people to work with digital
As mentioned, court reporters in Miami guide people to use the tools. They also play a critical role during a deposition by making sure everyone speaks clearly. Sometimes, they have to stop proceedings to ask people to speak one by one slowly. A machine can’t do that.
Final Words on the Court Reporter versus Digital Recording Debate
There will always be scaremongers out there but the key to the question of human versus machine isn’t an either-or choice, it’s an “and” choice. We need people to work with digital tools and liaise with the attendants of the deposition or case. Forward-thinking court reporters in Miami are embracing digital to be more effective and even better at their jobs. That’s the future of court reporting.
