REMOTE DEPOSITIONS VIA ZOOM (ZEPOSITIONS)

Please remember we are at the mercy of technology.  As certified Phoenix, Arizona, court reporters licensed by the Supreme Court of Arizona Certification & Licensing Division, we have an obligation to interrupt testimony for clarification or to resolve audio issues so we can capture an accurate record. 

We thank you in advance and appreciate your patience! 

If, after reviewing this Web page, you still have questions, please call mg reporting Court Reporters: 602.512.1300. 

And as a courtesy for our clients, mg reporting Court Reporters is happy to do any test-runs prior to depositions, at which time we can walk you through utilizing the Share Screen feature of Zoom for exhibits.   

Please note that the court reporter starts a Zoom deposition 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time, so feel free to join early to test your audio.  Then you can simply mute your audio and stop your video until the deposition start time. 

JOINING A DEPOSITION VIA ZOOM

• If you already have a Zoom account, simply click on the link provided by the Court Reporter to join the Zoom deposition 
• If you do not have an account, you can click on this link to download the free software and set up an account: https://zoom.us/download   
• You can elect to join via computer audio or telephone audio 
• If you are dropped from the Zoom conference, simply use the same link to re-join

AFTER JOINING A ZOOM DEPOSITION WITH COMPUTER AUDIO, ADJUST MICROPHONE/SPEAKER LEVELS  (For best computer audio, please use earbuds with a microphone or a headset with a microphone.)

• After joining via computer audio, click on the up arrow next to the microphone icon in the lower left of the screen 
• Select Audio Settings and Settings window displays 
• Toward the top right of the Settings window, under Speaker, slide the volume bar to the far right on the bar (at the highest level) 
• Under Microphone, uncheck Automatically adjust microphone volume 
• Slide Microphone volume level to about three-quarters on the volume bar 

LEAVING COMPUTER AUDIO AND SWITCHING TO PHONE CALL (You can switch from computer audio to telephone audio, or vice versa, at any time.)

• Click on the up arrow next to the microphone icon in the lower left of your screen 
• Click on Switch to Phone Audio 
• Dial into any of the telephone numbers listed 
• Follow the prompts in phone call using the Meeting ID, Participant ID, and Passcode displayed in window 
• Dial *6 to unmute 

 JOINING VIA PHONE CALL AFTER CLICKING ON ZOOM LINK

• Click on Zoom link provided by court reporter 
• When Choose ONE of the audio conference options window displays, select Phone Call 
• Dial into any of the telephone numbers listed 
• Follow the prompts in phone call using the Meeting ID, Participant ID, and Passcode displayed in window on your computer screen
• Dial *6 to unmute

MUTING/UNMUTING AUDIO

• Click on Mute (microphone icon) in lower left to mute your microphone 
• Click on Unmute (microphone icon) in lower left to unmute your microphone 
• On breaks, for your privacy, remember to mute your microphone 
• When you are muted, use the spacebar to momentarily unmute yourself while it is depressed for objections or short statements on the record; will resume on Mute when spacebar is released

TURNING CAMERA ON/OFF

• Click Start Video in lower left to turn your camera on 
• Click Stop Video in lower left to turn your camera off 

IDENTIFYING/MARKING EXHIBITS

• Email all anticipated exhibits to the court reporter via a download link if exhibits exceed email file-size limitations (we do not share exhibits with other parties or witnesses) 
• Each exhibit should be a separate file:  PDF, MP3, MP4, etc.
• Name each PDF with a Bates range, i.e., P00001 to P00009; or a description, i.e., Police Report; or Exhibit 1, Exhibit 2, etc. 
• When you share (introduce) each exhibit, please state for the record that it will be marked as an exhibit 
• State a brief description of the exhibit for the record sufficient for the court reporter to match up the PDF with the correct exhibit number for marking after the deposition 
• Exhibits are electronically marked at the conclusion of the deposition by the court reporter 
• Only exhibits referenced are marked and attached to the transcript unless instructed otherwise

VIDEOTAPED DEPOSITIONS 

• Customarily the videographer will videotape the witness only, even when the Share Screen feature is utilized to display exhibits 
• Witnesses will be required to appear on video whether it is a videotaped deposition or not 
• Your videographer will suggest any alterations needed for best results, i.e., shutting blinds, turning on lights, etc.  

DO’S/DON’TS FOR PARTICIPANTS  (These admonitions apply to all depositions but are extra-critical for Zoom depositions for a complete/accurate record.)

• Speak clearly, and we humbly ask you to slow down if you are a fast speaker
• Enunciate (please don’t mumble or rest your head on your hand, covering up your mouth) 
• Speak one at a time (there are inevitably pauses in questions, please wait for the complete question before answering)
• Pause slightly after each question to allow for counsel to object; then, unless instructed not to answer, answer the question
• Say “yes” or “no”; don’t nod or shake your head; don’t say “uh-huh” or “huh-uh” 
• Read documents slowly if asked to read text into the record 
• If asked to read something to yourself, don’t read aloud 
• If your testimony is medical or technical, please slow down when using multisyllabic medical terms 
• Please turn off any VPN (virtual private network) during the deposition
• Please use an ethernet hardwire connection if possible
• Simultaneous WIFI usage, i.e., gaming and/or streaming, at your location negatively affects the Zoom video/audio quality