The recommended Transcript Format Guidelines present a model transcript format. Their intended use is solely for state supreme courts and state legislatures to provide guidance in those situations in which federal, state, and local laws or rules are silent and local custom and usage is undefined, unclear, or nonexistent with respect to transcript format. The Transcript Format Guidelines are not intended for use by individual members, nor are they intended to supplant applicable federal, state, or local laws nor to undermine or usurp local custom and usage. Members are well advised to adhere to such laws or rules or custom and usage governing transcript format that are applicable in their particular locality.
The guidelines are as follows:
- No fewer than 25 typed lines on standard 8-1/2 x 11 paper
- No fewer than nine or 10 characters to the typed inch
- Left-hand margin to be set at no more than 1-3/4 inches
- Right-hand margin to be set at no more than 3/8 inch
- Each question and answer to begin on a separate line
- Each question and answer to begin no more than five spaces from the left-hand margin with no more than five spaces from the Q and A to the text
- Carryover Q & A lines to begin at the left-hand margin
- Colloquy material to begin no more than 15 spaces from the left-hand margin, with carryover colloquy to the left-hand margin
- Quoted material to begin no more than 15 spaces from the left-hand margin, with carryover lines to begin no more than 10 spaces from the left-hand margin
- Parentheticals and exhibit markings to begin no more than 15 spaces from the left-hand margin, with carryover lines to begin no more than 15 spaces from the left-hand margin