Opinion ID: 171516
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Essential Transactions

Text: Finally, I turn to whether the depositions document the essential transactions of the judiciary. Essential transactions in a judicial context include receiving pleadings and documents filed with or presented as evidence to the Court (the case file), holding hearings and trials, entering orders, and issuing opinions. Accordingly, the majority is correct that documents filed with the clerk's office are federal records. Maj. Op. at 1318. In contrast, unsigned depositions cannot be filed. See Fed.R.Civ.P. 5(d)(1), 26(g); Maj. Op. at 1318. Therefore, the Harris and Klebold depositions could not possibly document an essential transaction of the court because they were neither filed with the clerk's office, used at a hearing or trial, nor were their contents relied upon by a judge. [5] Because the depositions of Wayne and Katherine Harris and Susan and Thomas Klebold do not fall within any of the above categories, they do not fall within the ambit of the FRA. § 3101. It is unnecessary to reach whether they were made or received by the court. [6]