Cameras in the Courtroom: A Proposal for a New York State Experiment

• NCJ Number: 111943
• Author(s): J R Dunne; R Glaros; P F Rulison; M A L Balboni; J McArdle; L Eriole
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: New York State
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Legislative Hearing/Committee Report
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

In 1982, the New York Senate defeated a bill to permit audiovisual coverage of trial court proceedings on an experimental basis.

Abstract

After an extensive review and analysis of the programs and experiences of other States with cameras in the courtroom and after examining related issues, the staff of the New York Senate Judiciary Committee has concluded that fears of the opponents of audiovisual coverage are unfounded. After almost 5 years of experimentation, there is no evidence that audiovisual coverage disrupts judicial proceedings, impairs judicial dignity and decorum, inhibits the fact-finding process, impairs testimony, or diminishes jurors' ability to reach a verdict based soley on law and evidence. It is therefore recommened that S.5300-B, establishing an experimental program permitting limited, judicially supervised audiovisual coverage of criminal and civil proceedings for 30 months, be enacted. In light of the experiences of other States with such programs and advances in technology, such an experimental program provides the media with an opportunity to make significant contributions to public understanding and acceptance of judicial proceedings and decisions. 33 footnotes.