Court transcripts provide a complete and accurate written record of trial proceedings or other court hearings. These crucial documents are useful for verifying testimonies, reviewing evidence, providing an accurate description of proceedings, and more.

Whether you need a transcript to review a case for a potential appeal or you’re a media representative covering the trial, you have a few options. In this guide, we’ll explore how to get court transcripts as quickly as possible.

1. Send a Transcript Request to the Court

The most straightforward way to obtain trial transcripts is to contact the circuit clerk for the court where the proceedings were held. Specific procedures vary by circuit, but the clerk will respond to your request with any additional requirements. 

If a transcriptionist or voice writer was present at the trial, they may have already made a transcript. In some cases, however, there may only be an audio recording — and you may have to pay to have a transcript created. A company like Rev can turn around a complete, accurate legal transcript within just a few days so you don’t fall behind.

2. Search Local Databases

If you’re looking for a way to get court transcripts for free, you may have luck searching online databases. Some courts keep records, including transcripts, available online for no charge. 

A simple Google search may yield results. For example, you could search “trial transcripts in Texas” to see what’s available in that state. If you’re looking for a specific case, try searching for transcripts by case name. 

You can also create an account with the Public Access to Court Electronic Records service (PACER) and access records through that system. It’s free to register, but you may have to pay a fee for specific court case transcripts or other documentation. 

3. Contact Court Officials or Lawyers

Another way to obtain court transcripts is to reach out to attorneys or other court officials involved in the case. Lawyers, in particular, typically have direct access to files for cases in which they’re involved and may be able to get a hold of any transcripts easily. 

You can find out which attorneys handled a specific case through your local court’s online system or a legal research database like Westlaw or LexisNexis. Though there is usually a fee involved for getting courtroom transcripts this way, so be sure to inquire about any costs beforehand.

4. Request Court Transcripts From Law Libraries

Law libraries — either those associated with the local court system or with law schools in your area — are designed to support legal research. As such, they often have transcripts available to the public. If a transcript for a specific case hasn’t been made, the library may be able to create one for you for a fee.

5. Use a Reliable Legal Transcription Service

You may only be able to get access to audio recordings of some courtroom proceedings. In that case, you can hire a third-party legal transcription service to create a transcript from the audio. Be sure you choose a service that can guarantee highly accurate, fast transcription so you can be confident the transcript is proofread and provides a true record of the proceedings. 

If you’re using the transcript to file an appeal, you’ll need a transcript that’s ready to certify with a licensed transcriptionist for official use. This doesn’t have to slow you down — a service like Rev provides ready-to-certify transcripts in three days or less. 

Transcript Use Cases

Trial transcripts are useful for a variety of situations. Plaintiffs or defendants who wish to file an appeal are required to submit a transcript as part of the official records of the case. Media reporting on local courts may also need transcripts to ensure they accurately quote statements made in court. Attorneys may use transcripts to review cases or build their arguments. 

Whatever your reason for obtaining court transcripts, be prepared to share this information on your request form, as it may affect what type of transcript you receive. For instance, some courts have special rules regarding what types of transcripts are acceptable for appeals.

Court Transcript Rules + Regulations to Know

Since court transcripts involve sensitive legal proceedings, it’s important to be aware of a few rules about creating or requesting them:

• Only certified transcriptionists can produce or certify official transcripts. If a transcript wasn’t created or certified by an officially licensed reporter or transcriptionist, you shouldn’t rely on it for use in court or for reporting on a case.
  • With Rev, you can get legal transcripts that are fully ready to certify, meaning all you need to do is take them to a certified transcriptionist to make it official. Our legal transcription service involves multiple rounds of AI and human transcription to ensure 99.6% accuracy.
• Always double-check before recording courtroom proceedings or depositions. Many courts prohibit creating audio or video recordings of proceedings. Even if you are not in court with a judge present, there are laws regarding recording conversations. Always obtain consent before recording or transcribing proceedings yourself.
• Fill out any necessary forms when requesting court transcripts. If you want to get court transcripts, you’ll typically need to fill out a transcript request form. Be sure to specify the reason for your request and any specific segments of the proceedings you would like transcribed.
• Verify proper protocol with your local courts. Each court circuit or district has different procedures when it comes to requesting court transcripts. It’s always a good idea to check with your local court before filing a request.

Can I Get Court Transcripts Online for Free?

You may be able to get court transcripts online for free or for a fee. Start by searching for cases in your area to see how much documentation is available to the public. Some states even make their case documents available on specific websites, such as case.net for Missouri.

Get Quick, Reliable Courtroom Transcripts With Rev

If you can’t get easy access to trial transcripts for a specific case, you may need to turn to a third-party transcription service. And when you’re trying to obtain a transcript for an appeal or any urgent legal matter, speed and accuracy are of the essence. 

Rev can take all the uncertainty out of getting fast, error-free court transcripts. Our AI-powered transcription services are backed by human accuracy checks, and we can turn around transcripts for courtroom audio in as little as 12 hours. Even our most accurate transcripts, which are Ready to Certify, are available within 72 hours.

Request a demo now to give our legal transcription services a try.