Rule 80 Stenographic Report of Transcript as Evidence

If a witness testified at an earlier trial or hearing and that testimony was written down by a court reporter, you can use it again later in a new trial under certain conditions. This happens when that same testimony would be allowed as evidence in the new case.

To use this old testimony, you don't need the original witness to show up again. Instead, you can bring a copy of the written transcript from that earlier testimony. Someone has to confirm the copy is accurate and official. This can be done by the court reporter who originally took down the testimony, or by the court clerk who keeps the original transcript on file.

This rule basically saves time and hassle. It means people don't have to track down a witness and have them repeat their testimony all over again if it was already properly recorded and can be legally used in the new case.