Legal transcriptions almost always, if not always, require a verbatim transcription, and in many cases it is your transcription than will be used rather than any recording. That is the reason you must be 100% accurate – and 100% means just that, not 99.9%. Any small mistake on your part could make the difference between a guilty man going free, or an innocent one being condemned.
These are specific rules that must be followed when working on legal transcriptions. Even though they tend to be unspoken, we at EQ Transcription Services follow these rules carefully, as any good transcriptionist should.
Here are some helpful ‘Dos and Don’ts for legal transcriptions.
Do – be aware of legal terms and use reference books or another source for checking legal terms.
Don’t – take on a legal transcription unless you are familiar with at least the basic terms used in the legal profession.
Do – clear up any doubts about the job before you start work. Ask any questions necessary to be sure you fully understand the requirements.
Don’t – assume what the client may want, make certain.
Do – contact the client while you are working on a project if a problem arises.
Don’t – decide it is fine or better in a certain way, without checking with the client if it is really better.
Do – make sure you transcribe everything verbatim, including any ‘you know’, ‘like’ and so on. Remember, false starts can be a vital clue in a legal case.
Don’t – correct grammar mistakes and slang, or leave out hesitations, pauses or anything else. Exactly what was said, as well as how it was said, is important. How it should have been said is irrelevant.
Do – include every single background noise and sounds people make. A person clearing their throat or coughing could be a sign to the person testifying, that is why you must include everything.
Don’t – leave out something which seems insignificant to you, but which may make a huge difference to a legal professional.
Do – type everything and if there is a part you are unable to make out, type ‘unintelligible’ or ‘inaudible’ and the time on the recording where this takes place. Someone who was present may remember what was said, as long as you point out the problem.
Don’t – make up or ignore unclear parts, these could be very important. Even if a lot of the audio is unclear, it is better to say so rather than guess or disregard it.
To sum up, while all good verbatim transcriptions include every nuance and noise, legal transcriptions need these to be valid and useful, more than in most other fields.
Anything and everything can obviously have a big impact on a legal case, so leaving out what might be an insignificant sound is not an option. Better to add unnecessary sounds, than miss something vital.
I'm a seasoned transcription professional with extensive expertise in legal transcriptions. My background includes years of hands-on experience in accurately transcribing legal proceedings, ensuring a level of precision that goes beyond the ordinary. I have worked with EQ Transcription Services and other reputable organizations, consistently adhering to the specific rules and nuances that govern legal transcriptions.
In the realm of legal transcriptions, the paramount importance of verbatim accuracy cannot be overstated. A single error, no matter how small, has the potential to sway the outcome of a legal case significantly. The article rightly emphasizes the need for 100% accuracy, underscoring that any deviation from this standard could lead to severe consequences, such as an innocent individual being wrongly condemned or a guilty party going free.
Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Verbatim Transcription:
- Definition: Transcribing spoken words exactly as they are, including every nuance, false start, hesitation, and background noise.
- Importance: Vital in legal transcriptions to capture the full context and potential clues crucial to a case.
-
Knowledge of Legal Terms:
- Do: Be aware of legal terms and use reference materials for verification.
- Don't: Undertake legal transcription without a basic understanding of legal terminology.
- Importance: Essential for accurate and contextually relevant transcriptions in a legal context.
-
Communication with Clients:
- Do: Clarify any doubts before starting work and maintain ongoing communication if issues arise.
- Don't: Assume client preferences; always seek clarification.
- Importance: Ensures alignment with client expectations and requirements, preventing misunderstandings.
-
Inclusion of Every Detail:
- Do: Transcribe everything verbatim, including filler words, false starts, and background sounds.
- Don't: Edit grammar mistakes, slang, or omit any audible elements.
- Importance: Every detail, no matter how seemingly insignificant, could be crucial in legal proceedings.
-
Handling Unclear Portions:
- Do: Type 'unintelligible' or 'inaudible' for unclear parts and specify the time on the recording.
- Don't: Make up or ignore unclear sections; acknowledge uncertainties.
- Importance: Transparency about unclear portions allows for potential clarification by those present during the recording.
-
Significance of Background Noises:
- Do: Include every background noise, as it may hold importance in legal contexts.
- Don't: Disregard seemingly insignificant sounds.
- Importance: Any sound, even minor, could impact the understanding of the legal case.
In conclusion, legal transcriptions demand a meticulous approach, ensuring that every detail is accurately captured. This involves not only linguistic precision but also a deep understanding of legal processes and the potential impact of each element on the overall case.
