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

(and other media as well), the majority showed positive
attitudes. Experienced jurors, especially, felt little
damage would ensue from EMC presence. Their attitudes
match closely their observed behavior and data obtained
in interviews. The discrepancies mentioned above for
judges, prosecutors and defenders are not present for
jurors.
Integration of Research Findings
The evaluation research pinpointed several issues which will
continue to be of major concern. The party consent question
will remain a controversial issue, as will concern about
potential impacts on civilian participants in court proceedings,
and the potential influence of EMC on decision-making will
continue to be a primary issue. Balancing EMC access to courts
with the need to protect courts from outside influence will
likely be the central question on which the fate of EMC rests.
The evaluation yielded other conclusions with predictive value.
Among them are:
l The generally negative attitude toward E!!C will be slow
to change.
l Defenders will persist in their negative attitude. If EMC
continues in its present form, the defenders will continue
to pressure judges to invoke their discretion in denying or
restricting EMC.
-o As more experience is accumulated, prosecutors, judges, and
the general public (jurors) will continue to reduce their
apprehension toward EMC, unless an uncontrolled, high
disturbance event occurs.
l At a process level, the administrative support system of
the courts occasionally will be burdened by major cameras
in the courts events. There will be times when a court
will not be staffed or equipped sufficiently to deal with
an EMC,event. Physical remodeling or other logistical
accommodations may eventuate.
l Judges are going to feel burdened occasionally in their
decision-maker role. They will at times be "put on the
spot", since the rules, as presently structured, positron
them as the key decision-maker.
-2270
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