Courtroom audio recorders in Seattle, WA are becoming increasingly popular as a way to create a record of proceedings. While there is debate about whether it’s feasible (or advisable) to replace court reporters with digital audio equipment, having audio recordings can add another layer of nuance when creating a record. Court reporters have to rely on actively paying attention while creating a record; digital audio recording equipment and transcription software can help clear up any misconceptions or issues that the reporter may have had while transcribing proceedings.
How a courtroom audio recorder works
Digital courtroom recording equipment uses a series of microphones and channels to record each person participating in the proceedings, including the judge, attorneys and witnesses. This allows reporters to turn off certain channels and isolate the speech of one person—which is invaluable when parties are talking over each other.
The audio is recorded by a digital court reporter, then fed into transcription software. The software makes it possible to tag and timestamp the transcription and notes, which is then searchable.
A court reporter is still necessary to operate the equipment, which includes testing all microphones and recorders, capturing information about the attorneys, parties, venue and judge and taking detailed log notes to supplement the audio recording.
Advantages of digital audio recording equipment in the courtroom
Why is courtroom audio recording equipment so important in Seattle, WA? Here are some of the major advantages with this new form of court reporting:
- Cost: Digital court recorders have some significant upfront costs associated with them, but studies show that courts can potentially save millions by switching to audio recording instead of relying on traditional court reporting. Operating the systems tends to be less expensive over time, but courts see the most savings in labor and personnel costs. Court reporters tend to earn a high salary thanks to the technical skill it takes to do their jobs; digital technology cuts their rate down.
- Efficiency: Having one person responsible for transcribing proceedings while they’re happening means that many times, a court reporter will have to interrupt to ask for spellings or for parties to repeat themselves. Although that interruption might only take a minute, over time, those minutes add up. Audio recordings allow the reporter to pause and isolate the speaker so they can correct transcriptions easily. It is also far more efficient to share audio recordings than to print out hundreds of pages of transcripts for each pre-trial and trial proceeding—it’s not just efficient, but also saves money for the attorneys.
- Accuracy: The importance of accurate court transcripts cannot be overstated, and digital recordings allow flexibility in deciphering what each party is saying. The separate channels mean that parties talking over each other is no longer a problem—simply isolate the speaker individually for an accurate transcription.
When you need high-quality digital audio recording equipment for your courtroom in Seattle, WA, reach out to the team at Efficiency, Inc. to learn more about our products. We can help pair you with the ideal technology for your needs.