NCJ Number
47209
Journal
American Bar Association Journal Volume: 64, Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 545-550
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THE PROS AND CONS OF VIDEO AND STILL-CAMERA COVERAGE OF BOTH CRIMINAL AND CIVIL COURT PROCEEDINGS ARE PRESENTED IN LIGHT OF A FLORIDA SUPREME COURT RULING SANCTIONING SUCH COVERAGE DURING A 1-YEAR TEST PERIOD.
Abstract
A LAW CORRESPONDENT FOR COLUMBIA BROADCASTING COMPANY NEWS ARGUES IN FAVOR OF CAMERA COVERAGE OF ALL COURT PROCEEDINGS ON THE GROUNDS THAT IT IS THE DUE EXTENSION OF PRINT MEDIA ACCESS AND THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW. A SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE ARGUES TO THE CONTRARY THAT CAUTION SHOULD BE EXERCISED IN GRANTING UNLIMITED ACCESS, FEARING INCREASED PRESSURE ON JUDGES, ATTORNEYS, AND JURORS TO PERFORM DRAMATICALLY RATHER THAN JUDICIOUSLY. THE HISTORY OF JUDICIAL SANCTIONS AGAINST CAMERAS IN THE COURTROOM IS REVIEWED AND VARIOUSLY ASSAILED OR DEFENDED AS DISCRIMINATORY AGAINST THE RIGHT OF ACCESS BY ALL MEDIA FORMATS ON THE ONE HAND, AND AS NECESSARY TO THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO FAIR TRIAL ON THE OTHER. ALTHOUGH THE MIAMI MURDER TRIAL OF RONNY ZAMORA SERVES AS THE PRIMARY FOCUS OF BOTH ARGUMENTS, COVERAGE OF THE LINDBERGH KIDNAPING TRIAL IN NEW JERSEY AND THE BILLIE SOL ESTES CASE IN TEXAS ARE CITED AS WELL AS A RECENT RULING AGAINST EASTERN AIRLINES. IT IS ARGUED THAT THE FLORIDA EXPERIMENT WILL CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE THAT CAMERAS DO NOT MAKE TRIALS UNFAIR, THAT THE U.S. SUPREME COURT WILL BE FORCED TO REVIEW ITS STAND AGAINST CAMERAS AND WILL CLEAR THE WAY FOR OTHER STATES TO ADMIT THEM, AND THAT ONCE CAMERAS BECOME ROUTINE IN COURTS, THE COVERAGE OF HEARINGS WILL INCREASE AND WITH IT THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING OF COURT PROCESSES AND ACHIEVEMENTS. CAUTION IS ADVISED BECAUSE NOT ONLY CAMERAS BUT THE ENTIRE AREA OF FAIR TRIAL AND FREE PRESS RIGHTS AGGRAVATE THE DAY-TO-DAY RELATIONSHIP OF THE LAW AND THE MEDIA. WHILE IT IS AGREED THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS ON THE THRESHOLD OF A NEW ERA OF TECHNOLOGY AS APPLIED TO THE OBSERVATION OF THE JUDICIAL PROCESS, IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE JUDICIARY AND THE MEDIA UNITE IN AN EFFORT TO STUDY THE IMPLICATIONS OF CAMERA COVERAGE AND WORK TOGETHER TOWARD SOME RESOLUTION OR COMPROMISE REGARDING CONFLICTING RIGHTS. (KBL)