Full question:
How does a person get a voicemail message that was left on a cell phone, turned into submissable written evidence? Is there a way to legally get the voicemail transcribed into writing?
- Category: Civil Actions
- Date:
- State: Illinois
Answer:
In recent years, courts have increasingly accepted evidence from emails and voicemails. Digitized voicemail technology allows for the preservation of this evidence. However, one challenge with voicemails is ensuring they are not deleted or altered, as this could be seen as spoiling evidence. Courts may impose sanctions for failing to preserve relevant evidence.
Another issue is determining when a voicemail was received, which can be crucial in legal cases. Unlike emails, searching through voicemails can be more difficult. While voicemails can be transcribed, important elements like tone and emphasis may be lost in the process. Therefore, listening to the original voicemail is often recommended.
Today, many vendors offer technology for archiving and transcribing voicemails. Whether transcribed into text or saved as audio, voicemails can be discoverable and used as evidence in court.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.