US Court. What are the differences between a court transcript and a court record? When do you want to get one versus the other? Specifics?

The court record is whatever documents and exhibits, which can include transcript(s) and a clerk-prepared index, are in the court file. The clerk forwards the record to the appellate court, thus the phrase, "the record on appeal...."

A transcript is an actual recording of a court case in document form and reads much like a stage or movie script. A record simply presents key information from the case such as the Case/Docket number, the parties involved and the final findings.

Think of the distinction between a state trooper's dashboard camera footage vs. the ticket information available from that agency's website after the fact.

You'd want a record if you simply wanted to review the facts of the case. You'd want a transcript if you were preparing an appeal and wanted a breakdown of everything actually said in court to determine if there were any misleading or conflicting statements made or procedural errors not previously challenged.

Either you've asked this question before or my psychic powers are playing up on me again, the court transcript is the entire conversation that happens in the court room on the day. the court record is usually a summary of the events/conversations the court record may list the evidence presented