What Happens When Attorneys Talk Over Each Other in a Deposition

Court Reporters are Guardians of the record.

Depositions don’t always unfold neatly. There are times when attorneys may speak over one another, raise objections interrupting testimony. While this can feel chaotic, maintaining an accurate legal record remains essential.

Here’s what happens when crosstalk occurs and why clarity matters.

Why crosstalk happens
Crosstalk often arises during:

• objections

• disagreements over procedure

• emotionally charged testimony

• fast-paced questioning

It’s not uncommon, but it does impact the record.

How crosstalk affects the record
When multiple people speak at once:

• audio clarity may decrease

• speaker identification becomes more difficult

• key statements can overlap

This makes accurate documentation more challenging.

The role of the court reporter
A digital court reporter works to:

• monitor audio quality

• identify speakers as clearly as possible

• note overlapping speech

• preserve the integrity of the record

The goal is not to smooth over reality, but to capture it accurately.

How participants can help
Simple practices improve clarity:

• pausing before speaking

• allowing objections to finish

• speaking one at a time

These small efforts support a cleaner record for everyone involved.

Clear communication helps protect the record. When proceedings slow down, accuracy improves.