Give The Court Reporter A Note With These Details Before The Proceedings Begin

As an attorney, you likely go to considerable lengths to look professional and prepared. For example, when you meet with a new client, you probably dress well and have a copy of his or her arrest record and any other relevant documentation if you're able to obtain it in advance. You want to look your best in court, too, and doing so doesn't need to be difficult.

One of the ways that you can show yourself to be on top of your game, as well as help to make the proceedings go smoothly, is to have a list of information that you can hand the court reporter before things get underway. Here are some items that should be on that list.

The Names Of Your Witnesses

Some attorneys can easily forget that when they're quickly talking and introducing the names of different people who may be involved in the case, the court reporter may be struggling to keep pace. If the court reporter is unsure about whom you speak, he or she may need to pose a quick question — and this could interrupt you long enough to affect your rhythm. A list of the names of the people you'll be discussing, as well as phonetic spellings of their names, when applicable, can be hugely beneficial.

Acronyms

If you're representing someone who is used of driving drunk or robbing a corner store, the terms that you'll use in your remarks will likely be in the everyday lexicon. If you're representing a high-tech client accused or corporate espionage, however, a lot of acronyms may be present. It can be difficult for those involved in the proceedings, including the court reporter, to follow exactly what you're saying if you're using a new acronym every few sentences. A simple list of different names and their acronyms will go a long way toward being helpful to the reporter.

Exhibits

If you'll be introducing a significant number of exhibits that you and your witnesses will frequently be referencing, it's also useful if your list for the court reporter can include a reference to this list. Something such as "Exhibit #1" and a brief synopsis of what it entails can provide a lot of clarity for the reporter as he or she works to follow the proceedings. The court reporter will need to include a mention of you or your witnesses referencing the exhibits, so being clear on which exhibit is which will allow for more clarity.

Contact a company like brentwood court reporting services for more information and assistance.