The Positive And Negative Effects Of Cameras In Courtrooms

Discuss the history of cameras in court rooms and outline the positive and negative of their presence. Cameras in the court room have been a recent phenomenon starting in the US at the end of the last century and has only recently been used in UK courts, although not as much as in the US (Lambert 2013). This essay will discuss the history of camera in courtrooms, outline the positives and negatives of their presence, how it has an impact within the court rooms and the impact cameras in courtrooms have on people on trial. The cameras in court rooms have both negative and positive impacts in courtrooms which will be explained throughout this essay.

The first part of this essay will explain the reasons why cameras in courtrooms have a negative

This could affect a person’s Human Rights. Cameras in courtrooms could violate a person’s right to security and privacy. This is linked to Article 5 and 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998 (Hickman, 2010). Even though at court you are able to stand in a dock and not be witnessed by the suspect or anyone else, a person will still feel unsafe that they are being videoed on camera. A person will also have a privacy concern if their personal information is revealed through cameras or video broadcasting. Cameras will not only invade a person’s privacy but will also affect the person’s emotions. This normally happens in sexual assault cases or cases involving children. Cases which are to do with assault or children could lead to danger as the camera acts as a form of victimisation (Federalevidence.com, 2015). This is because people who are a victim of crime or are giving evidence in court will feel nervous or

Cameras in the court room have been a recent phenomenon starting in the US at the end of the last century and has only recently been used in UK courts, although not as much as in the US (Lambert.) Looking back at all the research and understanding that having cameras in courtrooms could not only effect someone as a victim, but as a suspect as well. It can cause a person whether a victim or a suspect to an unfair trial. The Human Right Act applies to everyone and a person’s right should be respected at all times, but mainly cameras in courtrooms will effect a person’s security, privacy and a right to a fair trial. This relates to Article 5 and Article 6 of the Human Rights Act (Gov.uk 2014). Having cameras in courtrooms could also make the victims and suspects feel unsafe as they are being recorded, and also could make not only the victims and suspects feel nervous but also the people inside the courtrooms. The positives of having cameras in the courtroom will mean that, everything is recorded and used as evidence and can as well be used for media coverage. The media can also influence the coverage in courtrooms. Another positive factor for cameras in courtrooms is the judges and lawyers have proof if any unfair decision is made within the trial. The history of