Superior Court of Los Angeles County Provides Clarification Regarding Respondent Deposits for Copies of Reporter’s Transcripts on Appeal

Under the California Rules of Court, appellants who elect to use a reporter’s transcript as the record of oral proceedings must designate the proceedings to be transcribed and deposit the estimated cost of transcription with the Court. The amounts to be deposited are outlined in California Rules of Court, Rule 8.130(b)(1). Alternative options to the deposit are outlined in California Rules of Court, Rule 8.130(b)(3).

Respondents may also designate additional proceedings for inclusion in the reporter’s transcript. When respondents designate additional proceedings, they must deposit funds or utilize an alternative option as outlined in California Rules of Court, Rule 8.130(b)(1) and (3). The amount deposited by the respondent is to cover the reporter’s cost to transcribe the additional proceedings and provide an original for the reviewing court and a copy for the appellant. It does not cover the costs for the respondent to receive a copy of the reporter’s transcript on appeal.

Guidelines for Respondents Requesting Transcript Copies

Respondents requesting a copy of the Reporter’s Transcript on Appeal can place an optional deposit charged at the same rate that is charged when parties designate proceedings that have been previously transcribed, pursuant to California Rules of Court, Rule 8.130(b)(1):

• Proceeding previously transcribed: $80 per proceeding that did not exceed three hours, or $160 per proceeding that exceeded three hours.

The optional deposit is to include all the dates designated by the Appellant and Respondent, as the Court can only order and provide a complete copy of the Reporter’s Transcript on Appeal.

Respondents who do not wish to submit the optional deposit for the Court to order and deliver to them a full copy of the Reporter’s Transcript on Appeal, or those seeking copies of select dates or individual proceedings, must reach out directly to the court reporter.

The largest trial court in the nation, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, serves a population of almost 10 million in 36 courthouses with a jurisdiction covering over 4,000 square miles that includes 88 cities, 140 unincorporated areas and dozens of law enforcement agencies. The Court is steadfast in its mission to serve our community by providing equal access to justice through the fair, timely, and effective resolution of all cases.