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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<strong>of</strong> this pxpcbrience, I nm lOOX in favor <strong>of</strong> allcwiny<br />
the media access to thi courtrooms under our cur-<br />
rent plidell ncs. I would suy,cest that any judge who<br />
anticipates having cameras in the courtroom, take the<br />
opportunity before trial to casually discuss the set-<br />
up with the camera men or reporters SO that it is<br />
clear that b.ot.h sides understand the other’s position<br />
on that parlticular case. I did and found this to be<br />
very beneficial.”<br />
Thf? succinct comment <strong>of</strong> one judge perhaps summari$cs the<br />
~:~~n+ral ovcr*all rl?sppnn;e. The judge stated: “Ccnerally rood CX-<br />
!I’ I bic?ncc-- :;llows the fl(:xib1llty t;o m?et the ilnique nI.tedS<br />
0:‘ each situa Lion. Judges have not reported a nt-ed for further<br />
g::idelincs than set, forth in CJC j 7(a) c-tnd r,cwzs’ media people have<br />
g(*nerally prefc:*red the freedom to dcsl direct1.v with the judge On<br />
ii case by case method.<br />
To date, there hns been no fl ndi tip: or sc-ricus c lsim that<br />
“J;imer;!s in t.he co1:rtt;room” actually jlrejudiced a party. A few<br />
judges have voiced the or,i.!!jon, hc:+ever, that such reporting has<br />
(:Cinp?icatcd the tr.ia.1 and r;;usvr! d: :;i;:~;!ct icns t,hat; may 11av!+ preju-<br />
(Iiced the defendant or st:>te in a crj~nY.nal tr!‘al.<br />
Judas who have had t?x~)er.‘Li?nc:e with news media equ trlrni!nt<br />
in the court g:(ancra 111 have 1~1~s apprchr:nxion about dj sruptic’n or<br />
distraction than tYloy,e who h:ivc not, had l’i,rst hand experience.<br />
hIso, most judrcs :-,ccm to accept. the prospects <strong>of</strong> cameras a!Id recr:!*ding 8<br />
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