Often, yes. Many courts expect a written transcript whenever audio or video is offered as evidence, so the judge, jurors and the record on appeal can follow it. California Rule of Court 2.1040(b), for example, requires the party offering a recording to give the court and every other party a transcript and a copy of the recording, and says the transcript need not be certified. Other courts set this by local rule or standing order, so check yours or ask the clerk.
$0.25 an hour · first hour free
Under rule 2.1040(b), before a party presents or offers a recording into evidence, it must give the court and opposing parties a transcript of the recording and a duplicate of the recording. The transcript need not be certified. The judge can allow them later for good cause, and no transcript is needed in some cases, such as uncontested proceedings or where the parties agree the recording has no relevant words. Depositions and prior testimony follow subdivision (a) instead, with transcripts lodged and cited by page and line.
The rule's advisory committee comment notes that the recording itself, not the transcript, is the evidence, citing People v. Sims (1993). The transcript helps the court and jurors follow along and keeps an adequate record for appeal. That is why accuracy matters: the other side can point out where a transcript differs from what is heard.
There is no single national rule. Some courts require transcripts of all audio and video evidence by local rule; a 2017 Minnesota Lawyer report found five of that state's nine judicial districts did at the time. Federal courts commonly let a transcript be used as an aid while the recording is played. Look up your court's local rules, standing orders or trial procedures, or ask the clerk.
Drop the recording into subtitled.live/transcribe, name the speakers, correct the draft against the recording, fill in the case details, and download a searchable Court PDF on Letter paper with 25 numbered lines a page, a caption page, timestamps and a transcriber's declaration to sign, or an editable Word file ($5.00 per hour of recording, on top of the $0.25 transcript). It costs $0.25 per hour of audio.
Sources: California Rules of Court, rule 2.1040; Minnesota Lawyer, "Body-camera transcription presents problems" (2017).
Last reviewed 27 October 2026. Not legal advice.
In many courts, yes. California Rule of Court 2.1040 requires one for any recording offered in evidence, with some exceptions; elsewhere it depends on local rules. Ask the clerk if unsure.
Not always. California Rule of Court 2.1040(b) says the transcript of a recording offered in evidence need not be certified. Some courts and some kinds of transcript, such as official court proceedings, do require certification.
In California, yes: the party offering the recording provides the transcript, and it need not be certified. Elsewhere, check your court's rules.
Under California rule 2.1040(b), the court and every other party, along with a duplicate of the recording.