Yes, the Court Reporters’ Office is open to the public. The security personnel will direct you to the Offices or ask a court reporter to come and speak with you. You may also call in with your questions.
If you are using the transcript in court, then you should know when your next court date is, or at least when you will need to use it. General court personnel will not be familiar with your particular case or your needs, so it’s up to you to let them know if your request is time-sensitive. Without knowing your circumstances and depending on the court reporter’s workflow. Therefore, when matters are time-sensitive, simply check off 7-day or 14-day expedited to convey the urgency of your needs.
The process of delivering audio recordings where a Court Reporter was not present differs. The court sends CDs by postage mail or have them ready for pick up, meaning that even if you need your request expedited, this method of delivery is likely to add on a few extra days, so you’ll need to be well-informed ahead of time and prepared for this scenario.
Once the court reporter receives your request, be sure that you relay any additional relevant information. Of course, the basics will be on the form itself, for example, case name, docket number, etc., but other key details are often missing, such as your contact information to include your email address and the date of the proceedings.
In short, when preparing to have your court proceedings transcribed, it’s important that you understand the differences in requests, your options, your circumstances, and turnaround times.
Your request triggers a series of steps in the transcript production process such as translation, research, editing, printing, proofing, correcting, producing indexes and concordances, duplicating, collating, binding; and, finally certification and distribution.
An Ordinary Transcript costs Three Dollars and Sixty-five Cents ($3.65) per page. It is prepared within thirty (30) calendar days after receipt of a request and satisfactory financial arrangements are made. Additional copies are available at cost.
An Ordinary Transcript that is requested for a matter that is on appeal is prepared within sixty (60) days after the receipt of the Transcript Purchase Order (TPO) and satisfactory financial arrangements are made. Additional copies are available at cost.
A 7-day Expedited Transcript costs Four Dollars and Eighty-five Cents ($4.85) per page. It is prepared within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the request and satisfactory financial arrangements are made. Additional copies are available at cost.
A 14-day Expedited Transcript costs Four Dollars and Twenty-five Cents ($4.25) per page. It is prepared within fourteen (14) calendar days after receipt of the request and satisfactory financial arrangements are made. Additional copies are available at cost.
A Daily Transcript costs Six Dollars and Five Cents ($6.05) per page. It is prepared within twenty-four (24) hours. Additional copies are available at cost.
An Hourly Transcript costs Seven Dollars and Twenty-five Cents ($7.25) per page. It is a transcript of proceedings ordered under unusual circumstances to be delivered within two (2) hours.
The court reporter will make every effort to meet a request for an Expedited Transcript. There are two types of Expedited Transcripts with differing costs:
A 7-day Expedited Transcript costs Four Dollars and Eighty-five Cents ($4.85) per page. It is prepared within seven (7) calendar days after receipt of the request and satisfactory financial arrangements are made. Additional copies are available at cost.
A 14-day Expedited Transcript costs Four Dollars and Twenty-five Cents ($4.25) per page. It is prepared within fourteen (14) calendar days after receipt of the request and satisfactory financial arrangements are made. Additional copies are available at cost.
Most hearings are available to the litigants (parties in a case) and the general public. Transcripts of closed hearings are available only upon a written motion and approval by the Judge.
In appealed cases, you must complete and submit the form called the “Transcript Purchase Order” to the Court Reporter Supervisor; the Reporter of record (if known); the Supervisor of the respective Division (i.e. Civil, Criminal, et. al.); and a copy of the request to be placed in the case file. You can obtain the TPO from the receptionist or the Clerk’s Office.
For non-appealed cases, you must submit a letter to the Court Reporter Supervisor, including the Reporter of record (if known); the Supervisor of the respective Division (i.e. Civil, Criminal, et. al.) to be placed in the case file. The reporter assigned to the hearing will then contact you. After you and the reporter have made financial arrangements, the transcript is prepared as expeditiously as possible.
For FTR cases where a Court Reporter was not present, you must complete and submit the form called the “Transcript Purchase Order” to the Clerk of the Court; the Supervisor of the respective Division (i.e. Civil, Criminal, et. al.); and a copy of request to be placed in the case file. You can obtain the TPO from the receptionist or the Clerk’s Office.