Rule 20 Media

In compliance with Cannon (3)(A)(7), Code of Judicial Conduct and Superintendency Rule 11, the Court shall permit the broadcasting, televising, recording or photographing of court proceedings. No broadcasting, televising or photographing of Court proceedings or in the corridors adjacent to the Court during Court proceedings shall be permitted unless authorized in advance in writing by the Court.

20.01 Application

Request for permission to broadcast, televise, record, or photograph proceedings in the courtroom, or in the corridors adjacent thereto, shall be made in writing to the Assigned Judge as far in advance as reasonable practicable, but in no even less than twenty-four hours prior to the courtroom session, unless permitted by the Assigned Judge for good cause shown. Media Request forms may be obtained from the Court, see Appendix C. If the hearing for which the request is filed in continued for more than 30 days a new request must be submitted.

20.02 Procedure

Upon receipt of a media request, the Assigned Judge shall inform the attorneys for the parties of the receipt of a media request by such means as are appropriate under the circumstances, (mail, telephone, in person) in order to give the attorneys an opportunity to be heard, if possible, prior to the Assigned Judge deciding a media request.

20.03 Order

Canon 3(A)(7), Code of Judicial Responsibility, Superintendency Rule 11, and this local rule govern the Assigned Judge's granting of a media request. If the request is approved the Judge shall prepare and sign a journal entry setting forth the conditions of the media broadcasting, televising, recording or photographing the proceedings.

20.04 Equipment

Only professional quality equipment may be used. Any non-portable equipment shall be set up and ready for operation prior to the commencement of morning or afternoon court sessions. In no even will persons be permitted to bring equipment into the courtroom during trial, unless such equipment can easily be carried by a single person without causing distraction or disturbance. No motor-drive still cameras will be permitted.

20.05 Witness/Victim Permission

The Judge or Court Personnel shall inform victims and witnesses of their right to object to being filmed, videotaped, recorded, or photographed. Each shall indicate in writing or orally, whether or not they object. Upon objection the media are prohibited from employing any means to record the victim or witness.

20.06 Prohibitions

No broadcasting, televising, recording, or photographing will be permitted;

1. In judge's chambers or the jury deliberation rooms;
2. Of witnesses or victims without prior consent of the witness or victim;
3. Of jurors or perspective jurors;
4. Of bench conferences, of conversation or conferences between an Attorney and his client, or of jury deliberations;
5. Of any document, or exhibit before or after such document is admitted into evidence, except those which are clearly visible to spectators, e.g., maps, charts, blackboards, etc.
6. Actions of reporters and photographers in the Courtroom shall not be disruptive or distracting. Movement by still photographers during the testimony of a witness shall be kept to a minimum.

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