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1. Does the public have access to transcripts?

An official court reporter is often directed by the presiding judge to prepare a transcript of proceedings when a case is appealed. If a transcript is prepared, the original will remain in the clerk of courts’ file in the case of a criminal matter and in the prothonotary’s file in the case of a civil matter. So long as the case is one to which the general public is granted access, anyone interested may read the testimony contained in a transcript. Because of the necessity to actually send a case’s file to a higher court for rulings on appeal issues, there are times when the public will temporarily not have access to the contents of a file.

2. How does one obtain a transcript of a proceeding?

Local, state and federal rules of court govern official court reporters' production of transcripts. A request for transcript form will need to be filled out with all of the required information. The court reporter will contact you and make arrangements for payment and delivery of transcript.

Transcript Order Form

New Local Rules regarding transcript requests and costs are available.
Rule 4007. Requests for Transcripts
Rule 4008. Transcript Costs Payable by the Commonwealth or a Subdivision Thereof, shall be governed as follows:

3. Is there a cost for a transcript?

Local, state and federal rules of court also govern the fees charged by official court reporters for transcripts they produce. Again, because of the complexity of these rules it is best for a citizen to call the Office of Official Court Reporter for further information.