The following excerpt is from Arellano v. Paramo, Case No.: 16-cv-02337-WQH-MDD (S.D. Cal. 2018):
An indigent criminal defendant has an absolute right to trial transcripts on direct appeal. Griffin v. Illinois, 351 U.S. 12 (1956). There is not, however, an absolute constitutional right to a free copy of the record on collateral review. United States v. MacCollom, 426 U.S. 317 (1976) (interpreting 28 U.S.C. 753(f) and applying to 2255 habeas petition).
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