When a deposition wraps, you usually don't get a finished transcript that day. The certified version takes time to produce, proofread, and bind. But sometimes you can't wait. That's where a rough draft (often delivered as a dirty ASCII) comes in.
This guide explains what these unofficial transcripts are, when they're worth ordering, what they typically cost, and the rules for using them safely.
What a Rough Draft Actually Is
A rough draft is the court reporter's raw, unedited steno translation of the testimony, produced before any proofreading or formatting. Because today's reporters write on computerized steno machines (CAT, or computer-aided transcription), the software can spit out a readable text file almost immediately after the job.
The key word is unedited. A rough draft has not been:
- Proofread against the audio
- Checked for misstrokes or untranslated steno
- Corrected for spelling of names, places, or technical terms
- Verified for accurate punctuation
- Certified by the reporter
So it will contain errors. Some are obvious; some are not.
Why "Dirty ASCII"?
"ASCII" just refers to the plain-text file format the reporter exports. It's a simple, software-agnostic text file that loads into nearly any litigation tool (Casemap, TextMap, Trial Director, Sanction, or even a basic word processor).
"Dirty" signals the file is uncertified and unedited, as opposed to a "clean" or final ASCII that matches the certified transcript. You may also hear:
- Rough draft / roughs — same thing, sometimes delivered as a PDF or in realtime software like LiveNote or CaseViewNet
- Realtime feed — the text streaming to your laptop during the depo (the rough is essentially a saved copy of that feed)
- Unedited / uncertified transcript — formal names for the same product
The format matters less than the status: it is not the official record.
When a Rough Draft Earns Its Keep
Roughs are a working tool, not a courtroom document. Attorneys order them when speed beats polish:
- Prepping a same-day or next-day witness. You deposed the corporate rep this morning and the fact witness is tomorrow. The rough lets you mine admissions overnight.
- Drafting or opposing a motion on a deadline. You need to quote testimony before the certified copy arrives.
- Searching long testimony fast. A text file is keyword-searchable; your memory of an eight-hour depo is not.
- Briefing the trial team or client while the testimony is fresh.
- Designating testimony or building an outline you'll later confirm against the final.
If none of those pressures apply, you can often skip the rough and wait for the certified transcript.
The Cardinal Rule: Never Cite a Rough as Final
This is where attorneys get burned. A rough draft is for your eyes and your work product, not for the record.
- Don't quote it in a filing as if it were certified. Page and line numbers can shift between the rough and the final. A quote that's off by a word or a line can be challenged.
- Verify before you rely. Always check any critical testimony against the certified transcript before you file, designate, or use it at trial.
- Watch the disclaimers. Most roughs carry language stating they are uncertified, may contain errors, and shall not be quoted or cited. Courts and opposing counsel take that language seriously.
- Expect untranslated steno. You may see odd strings of capital letters or bracketed gaps where the software couldn't translate a stroke. That's normal in a rough.
Treat the rough as a reliable map and the certified transcript as the legal terrain.
What Roughs Typically Cost
Pricing varies by region, reporter, and how fast you need it, so treat any number as a range, not a quote. In most U.S. markets:
- Rough drafts are usually billed as a per-page add-on to the regular transcript, often a modest fraction of the certified page rate.
- Realtime (the live streaming feed) is generally priced higher per page than a plain after-the-fact rough, because it requires a realtime-certified reporter and more setup.
- Some agencies bundle the rough into a package; others itemize it separately on the invoice.
Two practical tips:
- Ask up front. Request the rough and realtime pricing before the deposition, in writing, so it doesn't surprise you on the invoice.
- Confirm turnaround. "Rough" usually means same-day or within hours, but verify, and ask in what format (ASCII, PDF, or realtime software) it will arrive.
How to Order One
Make the request when you schedule the deposition, not after. Tell the agency:
- That you want a rough draft and/or realtime feed
- Your delivery deadline (e.g., "by 6 p.m. the day of")
- The format you can open
- Whether you need realtime streaming to your laptop in the room (this requires advance setup and a compatible reporter)
If realtime matters to you, confirm the reporter is realtime-certified or experienced with it. Not every reporter offers a live feed, and quality varies.
Comparing Reporters and Agencies
Rough draft availability, realtime capability, turnaround, and pricing differ widely from one provider to the next. Before you book, it's worth comparing a few professionals on these exact services rather than defaulting to whoever you used last time.
You can browse and compare court reporters and agencies for free on the courtreporter.co directory, including who offers realtime and fast rough drafts in your area, so you can match the reporter to the demands of the case.
Bottom Line
A rough draft or dirty ASCII is a fast, searchable, unofficial copy of testimony, perfect for prep, motions, and overnight strategy. Just remember the trade-off: speed in exchange for accuracy you must verify later. Use it to work; use the certified transcript to file.