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1989-03-24 Comments of Star Tribune.pdf - Minnesota Judicial Branch

1989-03-24 Comments of Star Tribune.pdf - Minnesota Judicial Branch

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,_.<br />

CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM--<br />

A TWO-YEAR REVIEW IN THE STATE OF WASHXNGTON<br />

A Project <strong>of</strong> the Washington State Superior<br />

Court Judges t Association Committee on<br />

Courts and Community<br />

On September 20., 1976, the Washington State Supreme<br />

Court authorized "broadcasting, televising, recording, and taking<br />

photographs In the courtroom during sessions <strong>of</strong> the<br />

ourt. . ."<br />

(Code <strong>of</strong> <strong>Judicial</strong> Conduct 3A(7). It Is noted that t F e authorlza-<br />

tlon was granted by an amendment to the Code <strong>of</strong>.Judlclal Conduct<br />

not by court rule.) Since that time judges <strong>of</strong> the Washington<br />

State Superior Courts have had varied experiences with CJC 3A(7)<br />

and the news media. This report attempts to present an overview<br />

<strong>of</strong> those experiences and to recite certain relevant statistical<br />

information.<br />

PRELIMINARY' COMMENTS<br />

All 111 Superior Court judges responded to the survey<br />

by the Washington State Superior Court Judges'*Association's Com-<br />

mittee on Courts and Community. Out <strong>of</strong> the 111 judges 41 reported<br />

experience with some form <strong>of</strong> camera or recording equipment In the<br />

courtroom during a court session. Seventy judges reported having<br />

no experience, The statistics are not clear as to how many judges<br />

refused to allow "cameras in the courtroom" when requested by the<br />

news media. There Is evidence that some judges denied requests by<br />

news media for a variety <strong>of</strong> reasons. There is also evidence that<br />

judges alloGkd news media cameras in the courtroom, but, because <strong>of</strong><br />

an objection pursuant to CJC 3A(7), the court restricted the news<br />

media from filming or photographing a defendant, witness or juror.<br />

ATTACHKENT "C"

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