RULE 13                    FILMING AND RECORDING OF TRIALS

                        Effective August 1, 1979, broadcasting, televising, recording and photographing by news media during Courtroom sessions shall be permitted under the following conditions:

(A) Requests for permission to broadcast, televise, record or photograph in the Courtroom shall be in writing to the Trial Judge as far in advance as reasonably practical, but in no event later than one (1) hour prior to the Courtroom session to be broadcast.  Request forms may be obtained from the Office of the Clerk of Courts.

(B) The Trial Judge will either grant or deny such request in accordance with Cannon 3(A)(7) of the Code of Judicial Conduct, Superintendence Rule 11, and this local Rule.  Written permission or denial shall be made part of the record of the proceedings.

(C) Arrangements shall be made between or among media representatives for “pooling” equipment and personnel authorized by this Rule to cover the court sessions.  Such arrangements are to be made outside the Courtroom and without imposing on the Trial Judge or Court personnel to mediate any dispute as to the appropriate media “pool” representative or equipment authorized to cover a particular session.

(D) Not more than one portable camera (television, videotape or movie), operated by not more than one in-court camera person, shall be permitted without authorization of the Trial Judge.

(E) Not more than one still photographer, utilizing not more than two still cameras of professional quality with not more than two lenses for each camera, shall be permitted without authorization of the Trial Judge.

(F)  Not more than one audio system for radio broadcast purposes shall be permitted without authorization of the Trial Judge.

(G) If audio arrangements cannot reasonably be made in advance, the Trial Judge may permit one audio portable tape recorder at the bench which will be activated prior to commencement of the Courtroom session.

(H) Visible audio portable tape recorders may not be used by the news media without prior permission of the Trial Judge.

(I)   Only professional quality telephonic, photographic and audio equipment which does not produce distracting sound or light shall be employed to cover Courtroom sessions.  No motor driven still camera shall be permitted.

(J)  No artificial lighting device other than that normally used in the Courtroom shall be employed.  However, if the normal lighting in the Courtroom can be improved without becoming obtrusive, the Trial Judge may permit modification.

(K) Audio pickup by microphone for all media purposes shall be accomplished from existing audio systems present in the Courtroom.  Microphones shall be located only at the Trial Judge’s bench, witness stand and jury rail, or other such places as determined by the Court.  Microphones shall be visible, secured but unobtrusive.  If no technically suitable audio system exists in the Courtroom, microphones and related wiring essential for all media purposes shall be unobtrusive and located in places designated by this Rule or the Trial Judge in advance of any session.

(L) One television camera shall be positioned on a tripod in an area designated by the Trial Judge prior to the proceeding and said camera shall remain in that fixed position.  This designated area shall provide reasonable access to coverage of the proceedings.  Videotape recording equipment or other technical equipment which is not a component part of an in-court television or broadcasting unit shall be located in a room adjacent to or outside the Courtroom.

(M) The television broadcast and still camera operators shall position themselves in a location in the Courtroom, either standing or sitting, and shall assume a fixed position within that area.  Having established themselves in a shooting position, they shall act so as not to call attention to themselves through further movement.  Sudden moves, pans, tilts or zooms by the camera operators are prohibited.  Operators shall not be permitted to move about in order to obtain photographs or broadcasts of Courtroom session, except to leave or enter the Courtroom.

(N) Television cameras, microphones and taping equipment shall not be placed in, moved during or removed from the Courtroom except prior to commencement or after adjournment of the session or during a recess.   No television film magazines, rolls or lenses, still camera film or audio portable tape cassettes shall be changed within a Courtroom except during a recess.

(O) Proper Courtroom decorum shall be maintained by all media “pool” participants.

(P)  All media representatives shall be properly attired in a manner that reflects positively upon the journalistic profession.

(Q) There shall be no audio pickup or broadcast of conference conducted in a Courtroom between counsel and clients, co-counsel or the Trial Judge and counsel.

(R) The Trial Judge shall prohibit photographing or televising by any means the victims of sexual assaults and undercover police officers.  The Trial Judge shall retain discretion to limit or prohibit photography or televising of any juror, victim, witness or counsel or his work product, upon objection.

(S) Upon the failure to any representative to comply with the conditions prescribed by the Trial Judge, the Rules of Superintendence of the Supreme Court or this Rule, the Trial Judge may revoke the permission to broadcast, photograph or record the Courtroom session at any time during such session.