13.1 Page Estimates, Original vs. Copy & Rough and Expedited Transcripts

Blueprint topics 30406 to 30408 ask you to calculate an estimated page count, compare an original with a copy, and discuss rough and expedited transcripts.

Estimating a page count

Clients need page estimates to budget, and agencies need them to schedule. The method:

1. Find the on-the-record time. Use the log notes' on-record and off-record times. Subtract recesses, lunch and off-the-record discussions.
2. Apply a pages-per-hour factor. Agencies use their own factors based on experience. The factor depends on how dense the speech is: rapid question-and-answer produces many short lines and more pages; long narrative answers and argument produce fewer.
3. Add the fixed pages: title page, any appearance continuation, index and certificate.
4. Round and state it as an estimate.

Worked example

A hearing's log shows: on the record 9:02 a.m. to 12:17 p.m., recess 10:30 to 10:45, and an off-the-record discussion from 11:40 to 11:48.

• Total span: 3 hours 15 minutes = 195 minutes
• Minus recess (15) and off the record (8): 172 minutes, about 2.9 hours
• Using an agency factor of 40 pages per hour (an assumed figure for this example): 2.9 × 40 ≈ 115 pages
• Plus title, index and certificate: about 118 pages

If the proceeding was mostly rapid cross-examination, raise the factor; if it was mostly one attorney's argument, lower it. AAERT states that the CET practical recording produces a transcript of approximately 10 to 20 pages.

Original vs. copy

Federal rules

The Guide to Judiciary Policy treats the original as a pricing and custody concept, not just a physical document:

• § 530.50(b): "For any given proceeding/date there can only be one original charge. All other transcripts of the same proceeding must be at the copy rates."
• The original fee may not be charged to a party who orders a transcript already produced at a judge's request; that party pays copy rates (official reporters, § 530.30.10).
• A copy fee is charged when a party orders and receives a copy (§ 530.50(d)).
• The clerk's copy is filed with the court at no charge and is the official "control copy" (§ 510.25, § 530.55(a)).
• The original and each copy must carry a certification (§ 520.63).
• Electronic transcripts are priced the same whether they are originals, first copies or additional copies (§ 530.50(e)).

The Judicial Conference sets maximum rates for originals, first copies and additional copies in each delivery category. Courts post the current schedule.

Depositions

For federal depositions, FRCP 30(f)(1) says the officer seals the deposition and sends it "to the attorney who arranged for the transcript or recording," who must store it safely. That noticing attorney typically orders the original; other parties order copies. NCRA's Code requires offering comparable services to all parties, so each party can order a copy on the same terms.

Why the distinction matters to a transcriber

• Only one original is sold per proceeding and date. Selling a second "original" overcharges.
• Content is identical. An original and its copies must say exactly the same thing. Every correction made after delivery must reach every holder of the transcript.

Expedited transcripts

"Expedited" describes delivery speed, not a different product. Federal categories (Guide § 510.17): ordinary (30 days), 14-day, expedited (7 days), 3-day, daily (the next calendar day, before the clerk's office opens) and hourly (within 2 hours), plus realtime, a draft delivered during or immediately after the proceeding. Faster categories carry higher maximum rates.

An expedited transcript is still a complete, proofread, certified transcript. Speed does not excuse errors. It changes the schedule, often by splitting the job among several transcribers, each of whom certifies their portion (Chapter 9).

Rough drafts (uncertified drafts)

A rough draft is an unedited, uncertified version delivered quickly, often the same day, before the final transcript. Key points:

• It is not the record, and it will contain errors.
• The Guide (§ 510.20(c)) allows a reporter to give a judge "a non-certified or unedited transcript for a judge's use," which need not be filed. The AO's Office of General Counsel has said unedited and uncertified transcripts are not acceptable in place of certified transcripts for arraignments, pleas and sentencings (§ 510.45.20(e)).
• NCRA's Guidelines on Providing Uncertified Draft Transcripts (the blueprint lists NCRA advisory material as a reference) say:
  • "An uncertified transcript may not be filed with the court."
  • It "may only be distributed to ordering parties to the case," not the public or the media.
  • The reporter "shall take steps to ensure that no one would mistake the uncertified draft for a final, certified copy."
  • A draft should not include a completed title page, appearance page or certificate page, or a footer with the firm's or reporter's name.
  • Each page should carry a header or footer stating "uncertified draft transcript only."
  • A disclaimer and order form should state that the draft "cannot be quoted for any purpose and may not be filed with any court."
  • Comparable service should be offered to all parties.

When the final transcript is delivered, it supersedes the draft completely.

Summary