Section 4012. Sanctions for Delayed Transcript

(A) The president judge may take disciplinary action, including reassignment, reduction of fees, contempt of court, or decertification against any court reporter, court recorder, or transcriptionist who impedes the prompt administration of justice, whether by protracted delinquency in a single case or by engaging in a pattern of delinquency in a number of cases.

(B) The failure of a court reporter or transcriptionist to complete the notes within the time imposed by these rules or by court order, which delays transmission of the complete record to the appellate court, interferes with the reviewing court’s proceedings. The appellate court may enter an order to compel the preparation, filing and transmission of the notes and may take disciplinary action including contempt of court or reduction of fees.

(C) A district court administrator or his or her designee may cause a transcript to be prepared by another court reporter or transcriptionist from notes in the event of the inability, unavailability, or unwillingness of the individual who took the notes to do so within the time ordered by the court.

(D) The Court Administrator shall notify the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania of instances of unreasonable delay in preparing transcripts. The Court Administrator may recommend imposition of sanctions, including decertification of individual court reporters or transcriptionists.

(E) The president judge shall ensure that the number, proficiency and organization of court reporting personnel in any district are adequate to support the full and unrestricted operation of the courts. When transcript delay is caused by an insufficient supply of qualified court reporters or other staff resources, or inefficient management of the court reporting operation, the Supreme Court may direct the president judge to take immediate corrective actions.