What is a "rough draft" vs a "final transcript" in court reporting?

• A. A rough draft is a preliminary, editable transcript; the final transcript is the official, verified record
• B. A rough draft is the final record; a final transcript is an outline
• C. They are the same document with different file extensions
• D. A rough draft is stored digitally; a final transcript is stored on paper only

Answer: (A)

In court reporting, a rough draft is a preliminary, editable transcript created to capture everything spoken quickly so it can be reviewed and corrected. The final transcript, on the other hand, is the official, verified record—carefully proofread, properly formatted, and certified by the court reporter as accurate. It includes proper speaker identification, punctuation, line numbers, and any approved corrections, and it’s the version used for the official record, appeals, and filing. The rough draft is a working copy; the final transcript is the sanctioned, binding record.