Rule 22.10 Felonies - Homicide - Record of Preliminary Hearing

When someone is charged with a homicide, the law requires that a word-for-word record be made of everything said during the preliminary hearing. This means a court reporter or recording device captures the exact testimony given by witnesses, rather than just a summary.

If either the prosecution or the defense wants a written copy of this testimony, they can request it. Once requested, the court must have the recording turned into a written transcript. This gives both sides an accurate reference of what was said, which can be useful later in preparing for trial or checking a witness's earlier statements.

This rule exists because homicide cases are serious and carry heavy consequences. Having an exact record protects everyone involved by making sure there's no dispute later about what was actually said during that early stage of the case.