Request a parole suitability hearing transcript from the California Board of Parole Hearings (BPH), not the county court that handled the underlying criminal case. BPH provides an online and mail request process. Its request page asks for the incarcerated person’s name and hearing date; a CDCR number is helpful for identifying the record. Review BPH’s current instructions before submitting because available formats, fees, and contact details can change. BPH transcript request
Identify the hearing and select a copy format
Gather the person’s full name, CDCR number if available, and the date or dates of the parole suitability hearing. BPH’s online form marks the hearing date as required; check the hearing notice or other records for it before submitting. The request is for a BPH parole suitability hearing transcript, not a superior-court trial transcript, appellate record, or prison central file.
BPH currently distinguishes among electronic copies, mailed paper copies, and transcripts kept on older microfilm or microfiche. Its page describes recent electronic transcripts as free. Mailed paper copies are listed at 12 cents per page plus postage. For 2001-or-earlier microfilm or microfiche transcripts, BPH lists a 12-cent-per-page fee even when it sends the copy electronically. Check the live page for the applicable charge and request method before paying or mailing anything. BPH transcript request and fee details
Understand what the 30-day rule covers
Penal Code section 3042(b) addresses specified parole suitability hearings for people serving life sentences: it requires the hearing to be recorded, transcribed within 30 days, and made publicly available no later than 30 days after the hearing. The statute also requires the Board to state its findings and reasons on the record, subject to an exception for confidential security material. BPH separately says it will not release a requested transcript before 30 days. These statements concern availability and do not mean every type of CDCR hearing is covered by that statutory rule. (Penal Code § 3042; BPH transcript request)
A transcript can help a person and counsel review what occurred, but obtaining it does not itself establish an error or guarantee parole relief. The transcript request timeline is not an appeal or habeas deadline. If the record may relate to a pending challenge, ask counsel about the separate procedure and timing that apply to that issue.
For ordinary copies of a criminal court file, the California court self-help guidance directs people to the court where the case was filed; that is a different custodian and request. California court-record copies
The Law Offices of David S. Chesley handles post-conviction matters in California. Call (800) 755-5174 to discuss what record may be relevant to a specific case.