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