Court proceedings are captured either by a court reporter or taped electronically. Depending on the specific proceeding, either a paper transcript or a copy of an electronic recording may be available upon request.

What is a court transcript?

A court transcript is a written, typewritten or printed copy of the court record that is captured by a clerk’s minute order and either court reporter’s notes or an electronic recorder. Click here to jump to the section of this page about obtaining a court transcript.

What is a court recording?

A court recording is an alternative method to capture court proceedings by using an electronic recording device (Government Code Section 69957). See section directly below for information on obtaining an electronic court recording.

NOTE: This Court uses electronic recording equipment for the internal personnel purpose of monitoring judicial officer performance. An electronic recording made for the purpose of monitoring judicial officer performance shall not be used for any other purpose and shall not be made publicly available (Government Code 69957(b)).

COURT RECORDINGS

How do I request a court recording?

Submit the online transcript/recording request form
    OR
Complete the PDF version of the transcript/recording request form and either fax or mail it to Court Services. (The address and fax number are on the form) You can complete the form online before printing it.

Once a completed form is received, Court Services will contact you with the cost for the production of an audio copy of the hearing session that you are requesting. (Note: Please use a separate form for each recording request.)

How much will the recording cost?

The Court will assess a charge to cover the cost of the CD/cassette tape, creating the recording, and administrative costs in processing your request. The current fee amount is $10.00 per disc; see "Copy Electronic Record Court Session to a CD" (M03) in the Miscellaneous Fees section of the local fee schedule.

The Court will provide a copy of the electronic recording upon receipt by the Court of the request form and payment of the associated fee.

What if I need my recording ASAP?

If your request is urgent, please write “RUSH” on the request form, or in the comment box for the online form. It usually takes a few days to process a request, but Court Services may expedite rush requests. In some cases, it may not be possible for the court to provide a copy of a recording on a rush basis, but every effort will be made to meet the request.

From how far back in time can I request a recording?

According to state law (Government Code Section 68152 (j)(8)), the official record for traffic cases can be destroyed after disposition of the case. The official records for criminal cases are destroyed ten years following disposition of the case.

What if I need a transcript of the recording?

You will need to contact a transcription agency. A local phone book should have a listing of agencies that provide ‘transcribing services.’ Please see Local Criminal Rule 9 section (7) (a-e).

COURT REPORTER’S TRANSCRIPTS

How do I request a court transcript?

If you already know the name of the court reporter:

Submit the online transcript/recording request form
    OR
Complete the PDF version of the transcript/recording request form and either fax or mail it to Court Services. (The address and fax number are on the form) You can complete the form online before printing it. Please use a separate form for each request.

What if I need to look up who the court reporter was on my hearing date?

For hearings after 2005: Go to the page for the year of your hearing: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, or 2010. Click on the link for the week of your hearing, then look up the department that held your hearing in order to find the name of the court reporter for that day.

For hearings 2005 or earlier: Records of court reporter assignments are not available online for 2005 and earlier. The name of the court reporter should be indicated on the minute order in the court file. You may visit the Records department at the courthouse where the hearing was held and request to see the file to obtain this information. (See list of courthouses.) Please call the courthouse first for further instructions, since some files may have to be ordered from our records center before they are available for public access.

How much will my transcript cost?

Once the court reporter contacts you, they will tell you the cost of the transcript. They will also discuss how to pay for the transcript, the length of time it will take to complete, and where to pick it up. At this time, you can ask the court reporter any other questions you may have.

What if I need my transcript ASAP?

If your request is urgent, please write “RUSH” on the request form, or in the comment box for the online form. It usually takes a few days to process a request, but Court Services may expedite rush requests. There may be an additional fee for expedited transcript requests; if so, the court reporter will tell you when he or she contacts you.

In some cases, it may not be possible for a court reporter to provide a transcript on a rush basis, but every effort will be made to meet the request.

From how far back in time can I request a transcript?

According to state law (Government Code Section 68152 (j)(7)), the court reporters’ notes for criminal cases are destroyed after ten years, and notes for civil cases are destroyed after five years. The notes for death penalty cases are never destroyed.

There may be transcripts of certain proceedings in the court files. If you would like to possess a copy of any of these transcripts, please contact Court Services with the name of the court reporter. At that time, Court Services will help you get in contact with the specified reporter.

MORE INFORMATION

How can I contact the Court if I have a question?

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact Court Services via email at transcripts@scscourt.org, or call (408) 882-2515.