Working on transcript from hell

[Kyung]

I know this transcript is horrible bec even my scopists are remarking that the people in this deposition are CRAZY.

Constant interruptions, constant rudeness from all parties involved. Witness to Q attorney, Opposing Attorney to Q Attorney. Actually, I guess the Q attorney was not too bad in terms of rudeness, but constant interruptions and talking over each other despite my statement saying that they need to talk one at a time. Court reporter being ignored when trying to interrupt simultaneous speakers.

At one point, the attorney's iPhone went off. He decided to hold it up and show it to me. Hello, I'm concentrating, stop trying to distract me. Not only was there constant interruptions, but the Opposing attorney kept making random comments from the peanut gallery.

Of course, they wanted a rough. Of course they want it expedited.

And it was on video too. The height of unprofessionalism. They should both be sanctioned..

I ended the day with a headache. I needed a stiff drink.

[Kelli Combs (admin)]

I tell the attorneys only twice "one at a time."  After that when it is clear to me I am being ignored, I just put on the record (Simultaneous speaking - unreportable) and leave it at that.  I don't stress about it anymore.  It's their record and they can make it however they want to I guess.

[Rhonda R. Harris, CSR]

I think more and more proceedings in depositions and court have become more and more unprofessional.  people don't seem to have respect for the process or the court reporter.  I am not liking this.

 

[Christie Browner]

I recently finished scoping a Voume 1 and 2 of a depo that was like that. The Q attorney spoke with his hand over his mouth (as noted by the O attorney). When the witness would ask can you repeat that, I don't understand, the Q attorney would get very rude and say, well, what don't you understand? Do you understand what the word (whatever word) means? Finally the witness snapped (which I think might have been part of the point) and told the Q attorney, I am not stupid, knock it off and speak clearly. The Q attorney even said point blank that he will continue to speak over the objections because he doesn't feel they are valid objections, despite being told by the reporter :one at a time please." It is times like that I am glad I am the scopist and not the reporter because I found myself smiling very big and even said out loud "finally. YES!!" Volume 1 was 304 pages, with Volume 2 the next day going from 9 am to 12:13 am and 575 pages after I was done with the tapes from the videographer. And that was only Thursday. My poor reporter had another depo on Friday, and all 3 were expedited. If her and I were not so tired, I think we would have gone for a drink together lol.

[Kyung]

Don't think I didn't speak up. This is one of those cases where the attorneys were so hostile, they just out to "score" on one another.

[Kaleisha Straughter]

You have got to be a really assertive reporter on jobs like these. How assertive is the question. The attorneys needed to be told that you will not certify that kind of madness! In this situation it seems as though you would have had to become a royal you know what to get your point across. But if it takes that to make your record, then so be it! After all, you're the one suffering the mental anguish and stress of that job long after everyone's packed their bags and gone home. It's tough in depositions, because you are the referee. You have to protect yourself!!! In court, the Judge makes sure all parties stay in line.
All you can do at this point is chalk this one up as a learning experience and never let it happen again! Great job on remaining a professional throughout the job! I feel your pain, girl! We've all been there.