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Note: we are not offering in-person reference assistance at this time. Please feel free to call or email us (below) for on-demand assistance. If you have a larger research question, feel free to email us to set up a Zoom appointment.
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reference@lls.edu
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Transcripts and Recordings for Multiple Courts
The resources below provide transcripts or recordings of arguments before multiple federal and state courts:
- Westlaw Trial Transcripts and Oral ArgumentsSelected transcripts of trials and oral arguments, including Ninth Circuit and California cases dating back to the early 2000s.
- Courtroom Cast VideoVideo from selected state and federal civil cases, intended as teaching aids for students learning trial practice. Note: Off campus, you will be required to create an individual account with your law school email before you can access the videos.
California Transcripts and Recordings
The California Supreme Court has recently begun posting its oral arguments for free:
- California Supreme Court Live Webcasting and ArchivesVideo of all California Supreme Court oral arguments starting in 2016.
- California Supreme Court Oral ArgumentsAudio of selected California Supreme Court Oral Arguments from 2004 to 2008.
Federal Transcripts and Recordings
Most federal courts post any available transcripts and audio to PACER, where they can be retrieved like any other court documents using Bloomberg (if you are a law student or faculty member) or an individual PACER account (if you are not.) Try searching the docket for the keyword transcript or transcripts to locate them.
However, keep in mind the following restrictions:
- Usually, trial court cases are only transcribed or recorded if one of the parties specifically asks for a court reporter to do so.
- It may take the court reporter a month or more to complete and file the final transcript on PACER. The transcript will be listed on the docket under the date the reporter filed it, which is often later than the date of the trial or hearing.
- Once the transcript is filed, it is typically locked for another month or more. During the lock period, the transcript can only be viewed by visiting the court in person or purchasing the transcript directly from the court reporter.
- Audio recordings have only been posted to PACER since 2010 and some courts still require audio to be purchased from the court reporter.
- Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53 virtually always prohibits video and audio recordings of criminal trial court cases.
Fortunately, a few courts have begun making transcripts and recordings more widely available on their websites. Try these starting points:
- Ninth Circuit Oral Argument Audio and VideoFree audio and video of thousands of oral argument from the Ninth Circuit website, with selective coverage dating back to 2000. As of January 2014, all oral arguments are live streamed from the court's home page via the "Live Oral Arguments" box. Recordings are posted by noon the following day.
- Cameras in CourtsPilot project of the federal court system to record district court proceedings. Footage from a few selected cases in a few selected districts.
- Central District of California Court Reporter/Recorder TranscriptsInformation on requesting transcripts and audio from the Central District of California.
- Central District of California Bankruptcy Court InformationInformation on requesting transcripts and audio from the Central District of California bankruptcy court.