General Information on Recorded and Reported Hearings in King County Superior Court

 

Court hearings may be reported by a traditional court reporter, recorded digitally, or recorded on a videotape or audiotape.  The court minutes will identify the method of reporting/recording.

 

Please note: 

  • Not all hearings are reported/recorded.
  • Transcripts (verbatim reports) are not automatically prepared and filed into the court file.
  • Some cases are sealed by state law or court order and you may be required to obtain a court order to access the records.

 

Proceedings Recorded On Video or Audio Tape or Recorded Digitally

 

Pursuant to King County Ordinance No. 9348, the Department of Judicial Administration – “DJA” - (commonly known as the Clerk’s Office) is authorized to provide copies of videotaped, audiotaped and digital recordings of certain Superior Court proceedings upon receipt of prescribed fees.  Digitally recorded hearings are copied to a CD.  The following procedures apply:

 

Simultaneous Recording of Proceedings ($15 per videotape) (for Parties/Counsel Only)

 

Simultaneous recording of a hearing is only available in courtrooms equipped with video recorders and requires the use of videotapes supplied by the court.

 

  • Only videotapes purchased in advance from DJA may be copied this way.  Go to the DJA Copy Center in Seattle or Kent to pay for the videotape.  (Courtroom staff cannot accept the fees.)  The fee is $15 for each videotape requested.  No refunds are provided from DJA for videotapes ordered.

 

  • Before the hearing begins, present your receipt(s) to courtroom personnel.  Obtain your copy from courtroom personnel at the conclusion of the day’s proceedings.

 

 

Copies of Previously Recorded Proceedings ($25 per videotape, $10 per audiotape, $25 per CD)

 

Ordering Audiotapes or Videotapes:

 

  • Complete the Form and submit it to the DJA Copy Center at the appropriate location (downtown Seattle or the Kent Regional Justice Center) depending on where the hearing took place.  To obtain the required information, you’ll need to view the court minutes for the hearing you wish to have copied.  They are usually available in 3-5 business days after the hearing.  Note the tape number on the Courtroom Proceeding Copy Request Form.  Only copies of entire courtroom videotapes are provided.

 

  • Exception:  If the minute entry indicates “ER” or “Electronic Recording” you will need to contact King County Superior Court Administration in Seattle at (206) 296-9100.  They will identify and copy the tape from the hearing.

 

  • Your order will be processed (on a first-come, first-served basis) as soon as possible, and you will be contacted when it is ready to be picked up, usually within 3-5 business days.  Video copying is done in “real time.”

 

 

Ordering CD’s (from digital recordings):

 

  • CD’s can be played on a personal CD player or your computer through a MP3 player.  CD’s to be used by a court-approved transcriber are copied to include compatible programming; be sure to request this copying method if needed.
  • Complete the FTR Digital Audio – Copy Request form.  To obtain the required information, you’ll need the court minutes for the hearing you wish to have copied.  They are usually available for viewing in 3-5 business days after the hearing.
  • Return the completed Form to the DJA Copy Center
  • Pay $25 per CD (each CD holds 73 minutes of actual proceeding time)
  • CD’s will be ready within 1 hour
  • Pay $3 for postage if you wish to have the DJA Copy Center return your completed CD via mail.
  • Contact the DJA Copy Center at (206) 296-7848 with any questions

 

Before the hearing:  Notify the courtroom clerk that you’ll want a copy of the hearing.  Digital technology enables the clerk to provide the specific start and end time.

 

 

Mail-in requests:  Requests made by mail require an additional $20 research fee if you do not have your required information. Provide a self-addressed stamped enveloped with suitable padding to protect the CD or tape.  Allow approximately $3.00 postage.

 

Viewing and or Listening to Recorded Proceedings in the Clerk’s Office

 

Individuals wishing to view or listen to previously recorded proceedings may do so at the location where the hearing took place (downtown Seattle or the Kent Regional Justice Center).  Schedule an appointment with the DJA Copy Center staff:  in Seattle (206) 296-7848 or in Kent (206) 205-8412.  No walk-ins allowed.  Appointments are made on a first-come first-served basis.  Listening/viewing hours are from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. only.

 

Transcripts Record (Verbatim Report of Proceedings)

 

A list of court-approved transcribers is available at both DJA Copy Center locations and on our website at www.metrokc.gov/kcscc. 

 

For appeal purposes:  The Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.2 require that a court-approved transcriber must transcribe proceedings recorded on videotape.  The DJA Copy Center staff will provide the transcriber with the recorded proceedings.  Parties ordering transcripts are responsible for payment to the transcriber.

 

For purposes other than an appeal:  You may employ any transcriber of your choice.

 

DJA Copy Center – Seattle               DJA Copy Center - Kent                    DJA Copy Center - Juvenile

(206) 296-7848                                    (206) 205-8412                                    (206) 296-1413

 

 

 

Proceedings Reported By A Court Reporter

 

Using the court file, view the court minutes for the hearing or trial you wish to have copied.  The minutes will list the name(s) of the court reporter(s).  To make arrangements for a transcript, contact King County Superior Court Administration:  Reporters set this independently.

 

Seattle at (206) 296-9100                              Kent at (206) 205-2501

516 Third Ave., Rm. C912                             401 Fourth Ave. N., Rm. 2D

Seattle, WA  98104-2318                               Kent, WA  98032