Should Cameras Be Allowed In Court Cases

While researching this issue, I wanted to see what my State laws were and how it pertained to the question at hand. “Historically, access to courtrooms and adjacent areas to broadcast, televise, record and photograph court proceedings was tenuous, particularly after the media coverage of the Sam Shepard trial in the 1950s caused many courts to close their doors to the media. Then, on October 29, 1991, the Supreme Court of Missouri established a task force to determine whether cameras should be allowed in the courtroom. After considering the issue, the task force recommended that the Supreme Court adopt a rule authorizing broadcasting, televising, recording and taking photographs in Missouri courtrooms on an experimental basis and under controlled conditions. This rule derived from the Court's constitutional authority to

COR 16.02(a).

• If the judge finds that media coverage would interfere materially with the rights of a party to a fair trial, he/she shall deny permission for media coverage. COR 16.02(b).

• If the presiding judge prefers, he/she can grant standing permission allowing cameras in the courtroom unless he/she specifically orders otherwise. This is the practice followed in the Supreme Court of Missouri.

• Once permission is granted, the trial judge may prescribe the conditions of media coverage consistent with Court Operating Rule 16. COR 16.02(a).

• If the media coordinator fails to schedule an equipment demonstration before a proceeding that media have asked to cover, the court may deny permission for media coverage. COR 16.04(a)(4).

• It is recommended that the court make a record of its order granting or terminating coverage.

• To the extent possible and practical, it is recommended that the court conduct meetings and phone conferences concerning media requests on the record and make all resulting orders on the record and/or in