Many of you wanted to know more about why there are cameras in the courtroom.
KIRKSVILLE, MO -- In the wake of high profile cases like the Casey Anthony trial, many of you wanted to know more about why there are cameras in the courtroom. That’s our Friday’s Facebook Story of The Day.
In the state of Missouri, the State Supreme Court adopted the “Court Operating Rule 16” in 1995, which governs media coverage of trials and case proceedings and allows cameras in the courtroom on a case by case basis.
KTVO sat down with Adair County Associate Circuit Court Judge Kristie Swaim about the rule and she explained that if a certain media outlet wants to cover a trial in a certain county or circuit; they have to send an appropriate request to that area’s state appointed “media coordinator” to get final permission from the court.
“The media coordinator would then give notice to the court that this request had been submitted and there was someone in the media who desired to cover a trial or a proceeding. Then that notice would then be disseminated among not just the court; but the court clerk, the attorneys, and any parties who may not be represented by attorneys so that they all were aware that this request had been made.”
A hearing is then held to determine whether the media would be fair to both sides of the case and the judge in charge of the trial makes the final decision whether or not to allow cameras to cover it.
If the decision is yes, victims and witnesses of the case can request not to be put on camera.
“Even if the court allows cameras in the courtroom, under Court Operating Rule 16, it can be conditional upon certain witnesses and certainly victims being excluded from the camera or the recorded part of the proceedings that would otherwise be allowed.” Swaim said. “If you for example have a hearing where the victim or just any witness objects to that, then that part can be excluded from the media coverage.”
There are other exclusions to the rule. Cameras are not allowed at all in courtrooms for private matter cases such as juvenile, domestic, adoptions, and child custody cases.
If you want to learn more about the Cameras in the Courtroom Rule, go to the Missouri Courts’ website: http://www.courts.mo.gov/page.jsp?id=333
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