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What is a deposition and what is the purpose of a deposition?
A deposition is a witness's sworn testimony that is usually given by a deponent before a trial. It helps establish and layout the groundwork for the trial. It establishes, to some degree what a witness knows This makes more efficient use of the time in court before a judge and jury. It also preserves testimony, i.e., the facts and opinions so that the person testifying is held accountable for their answers. It is considered part of the trial’s discovery process and becomes evidence in the case. It may be used at trial to impeach a witness’s testimony or credibility should it change from the original testimony given at a deposition by the deponent. i.e., the person giving testimony.
How fast can a stenographer type?
A court reporter/ stenographer must be able to write at speeds of approximately from 180, to 225 words per (wpm) with extreme accuracy in many different topics from a multitude of speech patterns. This becomes the legal record of all court proceedings.
A deposition is a meeting where lawyers ask questions and witnesses provide answers regarding a legal matter before a court. The answers to these questions are referred to as testimony and are given under oath.
The 1st machines (1800's) used by court reporters to transcribe, in shorthand, questions and answers, either in court or at a deposition used a paper punched strip of paper. The description “stenotype” is used for all transcription machines used by court reporters/stenographers. It was originally done by hand. It is based on a phonetically based typing system. It is more akin to a computer than a QWERTY keyboard. Today paper is almost obsolete and has been replaced by copter-assisted programs.
