Rule 10.030 Form of Transcript of Oral Proceedings

If a court hearing or trial needs to be typed up as an official transcript, it has to follow specific formatting rules. The transcript must be typed clearly on one side of white paper, double spaced, with numbered lines. The paper size must be standard 8-1/2 by 11 inches, and the print needs to be clean and easy to read.

Each page of the transcript must have a page number in the top right corner. Next to that, the transcript has to show whose testimony is being recorded and what part of questioning it is, using short labels like "D" for direct examination, "X" for cross examination, "ReD" for redirect, or "ReX" for recross. Other parts of the proceeding also need to be labeled clearly so anyone reading the transcript later can follow what happened.

The rule also sets limits on page layout. Each page can only have up to 25 lines of text, and there must be a 1-1/2 inch margin on the left side and a 1/2 inch margin on the right. The typing itself needs to be in a standard pica size font or something equivalent.

This rule exists so transcripts look the same no matter who prepares them. That consistency makes it easier for judges, lawyers, and anyone else reviewing the case to find information quickly and read the document without confusion.