Clarification Regarding Expedited Court Transcripts

In response to a request for clarification of the Board's position regarding the ability of court reporters to charge expedited rates for court transcripts, the Board has reached the position that there is a difference between daily and expedited delivery of a court transcript. While Government Code section 69951 specifically speaks to “special daily transcription rates” in civil matters, the law is silent as to expedited transcription services and rates. Since expedited transcription services are not expressly permitted and rates are not defined in statute, the court reporter does not have a duty to perform the service or provide the service at any price rate. A court reporter is required to maintain impartiality and to comply with statutory time limits.