You can cite a deposition transcript or copy transcript text with its citation in order to use deposition testimony in motions, briefs, or memos.
Copying from selected transcript text
- In the deposition viewer, use the cursor to select the text in the deposition transcript that you want to tag, and then click the Copy button.
- You are then able to select from two options: Copy text with citation or Copy citation only.
- Once you have selected a copy option, the text will be copied to your computer's clipboard with appropriate formatting applied. It is now ready to be pasted into Microsoft Word or other word processor software.
Copying from an annotation
- In the deposition viewer, activate an annotation by clicking on the annotation box. The associated transcript text will be highlighted yellow.
- Once an annotation is activated, click the Copy button.
- You are then able to select from two options: Copy text with citation or Copy citation only.
- Once you have selected a copy option, the text will be copied to your computer's clipboard with appropriate formatting applied. It is now ready to be pasted into Microsoft Word or other word processor software.
Pasted text formatting
Text that is copied from Case Builder will be formatted based on the guidelines in The Bluebook style guide.
Citation format
If you select Copy citation only, only the citation will be copied to the clipboard. If you select Copy text with citation, the selected text and the citation will be copied. The format of the citation will be the same no matter which of these two options are selected.
Page and date formats
If the citation is on a single page, the citation format will be: Smith Dep. 12:15–20.
The format of the citation for a multi-page citation from page 12 line 15 to page 13 line 25 for a deponent with the last name Smith will be: Smith Dep. 12:15–13:25.
If there are multiple depositions for a single witness in the case, the citation will include the date: Smith Dep. 12:15–20, Apr. 21, 2019.
Text format: fewer than 50 words
If the selected text is fewer than 50 words, Case Builder will copy the selected text in an in-line format.
The selected text will be wrapped in smart quotes and the citation will be appended on the same line after the quotes. For example: “We may have discussed it in some more detail. I don't recall the details. At some point I got a copy of the pleadings.” Smith Dep. 11:12–14.
Short selections that include Q/A pair will also be pasted in the in-line format and remove unnecessary whitespace and line breaks. For example: “Q. Secondary is your odor investigation? A. Yes.” Smith Dep. 7:15–16.
Text format: more than 50 words
If the selected text includes 50 words or more, Case Builder will copy the selected text in block quote format.
The selected text copied to the clipboard will be in a block quote, with the left and right margins offset by a half-inch. Any Q/A pairs will be tabbed from the spoken text to improve the readability of the passage, and spacing will be provided after each paragraph.
The citation will be appended on a new line after the block quoted passage. The citation will not be indented.
Pasting the text without using formatting into your word processing software can assist you if you do not want to use the block quote format.