What to Wear for a Video Deposition

What Is a Video Deposition?

A deposition is sworn testimony taken from a witness outside of court for use in a criminal or civil court case (such as in a personal injury lawsuit), per the New York State Unified Court System. A deposition gathers information as part of the discovery process.

Who Attends a Deposition?

Usually, the only people present at a deposition are the person being interviewed, attorneys for both sides, a person qualified to administer oaths, and possibly the opposing party. Video depositions have eliminated the need for a stenographer. Some law firms may have an “IT guy” standing by to provide video recording services.

Expert witnesses are sometimes allowed to testify via video deposition.

How Are Video Depositions Used in Your Case?

Excerpts of video depositions may be shown to impeach testimony given in court if a witness has made contradictory statements. A video deposition may be shown at trial under certain circumstances, such as when the witness is unavailable.

Because they create a record of testimony, visual depositions are a whole new ballgame compared to transcripts. Written transcripts do not convey a witness’s emotion and inflection, silences, and sighs that everyone can see and interpret in a video deposition.

How a deponent appears on a video deposition creates an instant impression that resonates. Dressing or acting improperly can create a negative impression that may adversely affect how your testimony is received.

Dressing for a Video Deposition

If you are the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit, how you present yourself in a video deposition can make or break your case. Every video deposition should be made as if it will be shown in its entirety to the judge and jury at trial. You want to be confident that everyone who sees your video deposition is focused on what you say, not how you look.

Dress Conservatively

You should dress conservatively and be neatly groomed for your video deposition. By “conservative” dress, we mean that you should wear clothes that you would wear to church, synagogue, or a nice occasion.

Consider these pointers for selecting attire colors, makeup choices, and more:

• Makeup: Any face makeup should be minimal. Hair, including facial hair, should be neatly trimmed and combed. Long hair should be tied back. If you do not have a shaped beard or mustache, shave before recording your deposition.
• Colors: It is best to wear solid pastel colors. Light blue works well. Avoid black and white, which can distort lighting and how your face appears in the video. You should avoid wearing plaids or other busy patterns.
• Accessories: Avoid wearing flashy jewelry, scarves, or other accessories. Remove piercings that are not in your ears, and wear clothing that covers tattoos.
• Shoe wear: Sandals and flip-flops are inappropriate in court and at video depositions.
• Clothing: Jeans, short dresses, t-shirts, spaghetti straps, and saggy pants are not appropriate attire. 

Personal injury cases are nerve-racking, but by contacting an experienced attorney, you can be sure there’s someone at your side guiding you through every step of the process.

Recommended Outfits

It’s recommended that men wear some of the following items:

• A suit with a tie or a blazer
• A long-sleeve button-down shirt with a collar
• Long pants with a belt or suspenders
• Dress shoes and socks

The important part to remember is that it should fall under the business casual or professional attire that ensures you will make a good impression.

Women could wear some of these items:

• A mid-length dress
• A woman’s business suit or pantsuit
• Conservative blouse and long slacks
• No more than a single-strand necklace or one conservative brooch
• Closed-toe shoes

First impressions mean a lot and are often based on your appearance. When you give a video deposition connected to a court case, everything the judge, jurors, and your adversary see on the video screen reflects on you and your credibility. For that reason, you should be mindful of your dress and appearance when giving a video deposition.

Learn more about what to wear to court.

How to Appear on Camera for Your Video Deposition

Credibility is key to testimony in any court case. In addition to your testimony being truthful, you must appear to be telling the truth. When giving testimony, you should respond directly and concisely to what is asked – and only what’s asked.

Verbal Statements

Your lawyer should run through some practice Q&As with you prior to recording your video deposition. An attorney cannot tell you what to say, but they can give you an idea of the types of questions that are likely to be asked and advise you about your manner when answering.

Bad verbal habits to be avoided on-camera might be tics like saying “like” or “you know” as a transition between thoughts or repeatedly introducing your answers with unnecessary words or phrases.

Communicating With Body Language

Nonverbal behavior can detract from your credibility, too. If you are being interviewed in a video deposition, you should avoid:

• Looking to the side, up or down, or away from the camera when answering (indicates deception)
• Touching your face or hair (indicates nervousness)
• Fidgeting (boredom or nervousness)
• Sighing (boredom or contempt)
• Smirking (contempt)
• Frowning (contempt or confusion)
• Crossing your arms (defensiveness)
• Slumping or shifting in your seat (unease)
• Gesturing too much (nervousness)
• Wringing your hands (worry)
• Clenched fists (anger)

However, it is good to:

• Sit upright and look toward the questioner (not the camera lens).
• Spread your hands apart, in front of you, with your palms facing slightly toward the camera. This indicates openness.
• Pause for a moment after a question to think. Don’t go silent for too long. Answer promptly when you are able to.
• Speak clearly and distinctly.
• Lean slightly forward as you speak. This indicates interest in engaging the audience.

Do not chew gum or have anything else in your mouth while testifying. You may have a glass of water nearby in case your mouth gets dry. It should be in a clear glass set out of view of the camera. Sip from the glass, saying “excuse me” beforehand if you take a drink when you are expected to speak.

If you are given documents or other tangible evidence to review, do so without lingering. Set them aside when you’re done so you do not fidget with them, and then look up toward the questioner to provide your response.

Set Up to Provide a Video Deposition

Video depositions should be recorded professionally, either by law firm personnel who have training or by video service vendors. In situations like the COVID-19 lockdown, witnesses may make themselves available visually from home. In such cases, work out the required set-up beforehand by having your attorney advise you about how you appear.

Background for the Video

Be aware of what can be seen in a home video set-up. To avoid distraction, it is best to have a blank, single-color background or a simple pattern, such as a brick wall. Remember that dark colors absorb light, which can leave your face poorly lighted. Set against a blank wall or a door with a sheet or blanket hung over it.

The Zoom virtual meeting app allows the user to upload a photo to use as a background, but if you move in front of it, it creates distortion that can be distracting.

Lighting

Lighting is most effective when coming from the side or above you. Natural lighting is best. It may take some experimenting to determine the best way to light you.

As you try out lighting, you should wear clothes similar in color to what you plan to wear for the deposition session. A white tablecloth or even a sheet of white paper on the desk or table just in front of you will reflect light up toward you.

Prepare for Distractions

Make sure you will not be interrupted during your deposition by family members, including pets, nor by phone calls or visitors. Have a responsible family member or friend on hand who can intervene to stop someone or something unexpected from interrupting.

Test Your Set-Up

Set up your device or camera just a little higher than eye level and with a clear, unobstructed view. Sit about three feet from the camera lens.

Then, test your video conferencing software and set up with your attorney before clicking into the full deposition conference with others.

Questions You May Be Asked During Your Deposition

Every deposition is different, and a lawyer from our team will be able to walk you through the questions that they believe are likely to come up during the process. However, you may be asked to discuss information such as the following:

• More about you: Information about you may be asked to gain a general picture of who you are as a plaintiff. You could be asked to verify basic information about yourself, such as your family background, employment background, and criminal background. You could also be asked about your health history prior to the accident and injury for which you are bringing a case.
• The accident or incident that led to injury: Information that could be relevant in a deposition includes the context of the accident or incident, such as any weather conditions on the road during a traffic accident. You may need to discuss the actions you took leading up to the incident as well as your observations of the other party’s actions, if applicable.
• Your injuries: You may be asked about the state of your health after the injury, including information about your treatments, prognosis, the timeline of your medical care, and how the injury has affected your life and ability to work.

Knowing how to dress appropriately and in acceptable attire and how to respond to questions during a video deposition will help boost your confidence and composure and enhance the competence you project. We can ensure that you’re ready.

The Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP Can Prepare You for a Video Deposition

At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP we focus on all aspects of an injury case and will always go the extra mile to make sure that you are fully prepared for your deposition. We understand that this deposition is likely to be something that you have not experienced before, and we are always available to answer your questions or help you set up for a deposition. Contact our firm today through our contact form or by calling (516) 358-6900.