13.1. Duties of Court Reporters and Recorders
The official court reporter or court recorder must:
(a) unless excused by agreement of the parties, attend court sessions and make a full record of the proceedings;
(b) take all exhibits offered in evidence during a proceeding and ensure that they are marked;
(c) file all exhibits with the trial court clerk after a proceeding ends;
(d) perform the duties prescribed by Rules 34.6 and 35; and
(e) perform other acts relating to the reporter’s or recorder’s official duties, as the trial court directs.
13.2. Additional Duties of Court Recorder
The official court recorder must also:
(a) ensure that the recording system functions properly throughout the proceeding and that a complete, clear, and transcribable recording is made;
(b) make a detailed, legible log of all proceedings being recorded, showing:
(1) the number and style of the case before the court;
(2) the name of each person speaking;
(3) the event being recorded such as the voir dire, the opening statement, direct and cross- examinations, and bench conferences;
(4) each exhibit offered, admitted, or excluded;
(5) the time of day of each event; and
(6) the index number on the recording device showing where each event is recorded;
(c) after a proceeding ends, file with the clerk the original log;
(d) have the original recording stored to ensure that it is preserved and is accessible; and
(e) ensure that no one gains access to the original recording without the court’s written order.
13.3. Priorities of Reporters
The trial court must help ensure that the court reporter’s work is timely accomplished by setting work priorities. The reporter’s duties relating to proceedings before the court take preference over other work.
13.4. Report of Reporters
To aid the trial court in setting priorities under 13.3, each court reporter must give the trial court a monthly written report showing the amount and nature of the business pending in the reporter’s office. A copy of this report must be filed with the appellate clerk of each district in which the court sits.
13.5. Appointing Deputy Reporter
When the official court reporter is unable to perform the duties in 13.1 or 13.2 because of illness, press of official work, or unavoidable absence or disability, the trial court may designate a deputy reporter. If the court appoints a deputy reporter, that person must file with the trial court clerk a document stating:
(a) the date the deputy worked;
(b) the court in which the deputy worked;
(c) the number and style of the case on which the deputy worked; and
(d) the deputy’s name, mailing address, telephone number, fax number, if any, email address, and Certified Shorthand Reporter number.
13.6. Filing of Notes in a Criminal Case
When a defendant is convicted and sentenced, or is granted deferred adjudication for a felony other than a state jail felony, and does not appeal, the court reporter must — within 20 days after the time to perfect the appeal has expired — file the untranscribed notes or the original recording of the proceeding with the trial court clerk. The trial court clerk need not retain the notes beyond 15 years of their filing date.
Notes and Comments
Comment to 1997 change: Former Rules 11 and 12 are merged. Former Rules 11(a), (c) and (d) now appear as subdivisions 13.1, 13.5 and 13.6. Former Rule 11(b) is omitted as unnecessary. The provisions of former Rule 12(a) are moved to Rule 35.3. Former Rules 12(b) and (c) now appear as subdivisions 13.3 and 13.4. The rule is made to apply to court recorders as well as court reporters. Paragraph 13.1(a) merges paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of former Rule 11, and now requires the reporter to make a record of voir dire and closing argument unless excused by agreement of the parties. Paragraph 13.1(b) is new, but codifies current practice. Subdivision 13.2 is new and specifies rules for electronic recording of proceedings. A provision requiring a deputy court reporter to file with the trial court clerk a document identifying the proceedings in which the reporter worked is included in paragraph 13.5. Other changes are made.
Comment to 2002 change: Subdivision 13.1(a) is amended merely for clarification.