§51-7-4. Transcript of notes; fees; authenticity; transcript for judge in criminal cases.

The reporter shall furnish, upon request, to any party to a case, a typewritten transcript of the testimony or other proceedings, which shall be upon paper measuring eight and one-half inches in width and eleven inches in length, with margins of one-half inch on the right side and bottom, one inch at the top and one and one-half inches on the left, with the page filled as completely as practicable, with at least twenty-four complete lines on each page, with no more than double spacing used between lines, with no more than five spaces used for indentation from the left margin, with no larger than ten point pica type being used, and shall certify the same as being correct and shall be paid therefor, by the party requesting the transcript, at the rate of $2.85 for each page so transcribed and stamped "original"; and for each copy of the transcript stamped "copy", ordered at any time, he or she shall be paid $1 for each page so furnished: Provided, That if any "original" transcript does not conform with the specifications set forth in this section, the party requesting the transcript may not be obligated to pay for the transcript: Provided, however, That the copy of the transcript may be provided either on disc or with multiple transcript pages condensed on each page if the court reporter can produce such a disc or copy and if the party requesting the copy specifically asks for a disc or a condensed page transcript: Provided further, That the reporter shall be paid at the same rate for each page as the copy rate for the original for a disc or for a condensed page transcript.

A transcript of the testimony or proceedings, when certified by the official reporter and by the judge of the court, shall be authentic for all purposes, and shall be used by the parties to the cause in any further proceeding therein wherein the use of the same may be required. An original transcript shall, upon completion and certification, be filed with the circuit clerk. The original transcript may be used, without further authentication, in making up the record on appeal, as provided in sections thirty-six and thirty-seven, article six, chapter fifty-six of this code. A certified copy of the original transcript so filed shall be delivered to the requesting party. In all cases of appeal the reporter shall also make a copy of the transcript, which copy shall be filed in the office of the clerk of the court in which the trial or proceedings were had, to be used, if necessary, in making up the record on appeal, and, if so used, the clerk may not be entitled to any fee for that part of the record. If, upon appeal or writ of error, the judgment, decree or order entered in the cause be reversed, the cost of the transcript shall be taxed as other costs; and if the transcript be requested or required for the purpose of demurring to the evidence, the cost thereof shall be taxed in favor of the party prevailing on the demurrer.

It shall also be the duty of the reporter in any criminal case, upon the request of the court or the judge thereof, and for his or her use, to furnish a transcript of his or her notes of the testimony and proceedings without extra charge.