Task Force's Preliminary Recommendations for a Statewide Transcript Format Standard

Box/Border

The transcript format will not include a box.

Capitalization

It is preferred that presently the transcript text be in upper and lower case. After 5 years, the transcript text must be in upper and lower case.

Certificate

The certified verbatim transcript will be filed to a secure site utilizing a registration process. The registration process will require the appropriate certification. Certification shall be part of the downloaded record or any part thereof. A Pilot Project will determine the location of the site - centralized or local courts (as well as other parameters to accommodate the digital transcript filing process).

Cover Page

The cover and title page shall be combined and referred to as the "cover page". A standardized template for the cover page should be used. Information contained in the cover page must include the following:

Appellate Court and Trial Court Caption

Case Number - Superior and Appellate Court Number

Two Filing Blocks - Trial and Appellate

Formally entitled "Reporter's Transcript of [date]". Indication of whether the transcript is an augmented or supplemental record.

Death Penalty

Death penalty transcripts will be subject to all Task Force recommendations.

Headers & Footers

The transcript must not include headers and footers.

Time stamping

Allowed

Blurbs

Centered on the page
Located where/when in the verbatim text the event takes place
Short as possible, preferably one line
Plain English
In parentheses
Blank line above and below

Appropriate blurb subjects

a. text not included (sealed)

b. recesses, adjournments

c. readback

d. oaths

e. interjection by reporter

f. common interruptions

Inappropriate blurb subjects

marking exhibits (in digital transcripts)

uncommon events

changes in/departures from introductory information

interpretation of events

nonverbal action

on/off the record

Speaker ID

Single indent (5 spaces) from the left text margin.

All caps, followed by a colon.

The "Q." and "A." following speaker ID must be located 2 spaces after the colon (e.g., "BY MR. DARROW: Q.").

Index

Chronological Witness Index: · Witness name · Page numbers for examination

Exhibit Index: · Exhibit designation · Identification page number · Evidence page number

Death Penalty Index:

Identify all sealed proceedings, name of all parties present

Master Index:

Reporters shall provide a separate master index volume for transcripts consisting of more than one volume. The master index volume shall be in the following order and consist of:

A cover page entitled "Master Index Volume".

Chronological duplicates of the indexes for each volume contained in the appellate record.

Chronological duplicates of the reporters' certificates.

Date line

At the top of the first page of text.

Day and date on the left.

AM-, PM- or Evening-Session on the right.

Introductory Info

Daily appearances should be listed immediately below the date line for that day's proceedings. Judicial officers and court reporters also should be listed.

Justification

Left justification only; no right justification.

Line Numbers

The transcript format will include line numbers to designate lines of text.

Lines Per Page

The certified verbatim transcript format shall include 28 lines per page.

Left Margins

There are two left margins: the left line numbering margin; and the left text margin.

Left line numbering margin: The left margin from the paper's edge to the line numbering will be 1 ¼".

Left text margin: The left margin from the paper's edge to the first character of a text line of text is 1 ¾".

Top/Bottom Margin

The top and bottom margins of the certified verbatim transcript shall be no less than ¾".

Pagination/Volume

One Day/One Volume:

Each volume must be designated by date and contain only that date's proceedings. Each volume must begin with page one.

Paper Size

8.5 x 11 inches

Text Lines Spacing

Double-spaced.

Vertical Line

The transcript format will not include a vertical line

Binding

Cover folds open and flat

Can be taken apart and put back together

Bound on the left

Secure and readily useable

Characters/Line

62

Font Size

14

Font Style

Arial or similar

Pitch

12

Indentation

Common events blurbs - Centered.

Speaker ID single indent (5 spaces) from the left text margin.

The "Q." and "A." following speaker ID must be located 2 spaces after the colon (e.g., "BY MR. DARROW: Q.").

Question and answer symbols (Q. and A.) - Single indent (5 spaces) from the left text margin. The subsequent text must return to the left text margin.

New paragraphs - Single indent (5 spaces) from the left text margin. The subsequent text must return to the left text margin.

Quoted material, jury instructions, & other parentheticals - Single indent (5 spaces) from the left text margin.

 

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