Courthouse Etiquette for Media

• Clothing must be suitable to the professional atmosphere of the courtroom and the seriousness of the proceedings.

• The presiding judge controls what happens in the courtroom. Ask a court clerk or bailiff or the Trial Court Administrator if the court has a written list of rules for the media. Special rules govern the use of cameras and recording equipment in the courtroom. A general guideline is available in the section of this Guide titled “Special Rules for Cameras, Recording Equipment.”

The Idaho Press Club web site includes a page titled “Cameras in the Idaho Courtroom” at http://idahopressclub.org/iccam.htm.

• Judges are bound by the “Code of Judicial Conduct.” As a result, they cannot generally comment on any ongoing or pending case in any court. This rule extends to court personnel under the judge's control (i.e., clerks, bailiffs, reporters, law clerks and probation officers.” The code can be found at http://www.judicialcouncil.idaho.gov/code.pdf.

• Judges explain their reasons for handing down a particular punishment when the defendant is sentenced. If there are procedural questions about a judge's ruling, order or sentence, the judge may be able to explain. The Trial Court Administrator, or other authorized court personnel can provide a copy of the order, but cannot, for example, interpret or analyze the judge's decision.

• Turn off beepers and or cell phones or put them on "vibrate" mode. Find out ahead of time if the use of laptop computer is permitted in the courtroom and, if so, where to sit. Never conduct interviews inside the courtroom while a proceeding is in session.