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The Idaho Supreme
Court has adopted Idaho
Court Administrative Rule 45 and Idaho
Court Administrative Rule 46 for the use of cameras and recording
equipment in the courtroom.
The presiding judge authorizes and
may revoke the use of cameras and other recording equipment at
any time without prior notice. The judge’s decision cannot
be appealed.
Additionally:
• Approval to photograph or broadcast
a court proceeding must be obtained in advance from the presiding
judge. Check with the court to see if a special request form
is available. A sample request form for reference only is included
in the Appendix to this Guide. The full request form is available
online at http://www.isc.idaho.gov/judgereq.rtf.
• Unless
the judge specifically allows for more, only one still photographer
and one camera operator will be allowed in the courtroom. The
media must arrange for pooling coverage in advance. Be sure that news
organizations have arranged for pooling before a proceeding
begins.
• The
judge will indicate where to sit. Be in position at least 15
minutes before court begins. Do not move around during the proceeding.
• Never
photograph or videotape the jury, including during jury selection
("voir dire").
• Photographers may not use artificial
lighting, electronic flashes, external motor drives on cameras,
or do fast, random shooting.
• The judge will determine where
audio equipment is placed. Only one set of microphones for
all the media present will be allowed.
• Video or television
cameras cannot indicate when they are running.
• Conversations
in the courtroom between attorneys and their clients, between attorneys
for a client, or between attorneys and the presiding judge at the
bench ("sidebars") may not be broadcast.
• Media
may not photograph or record exhibits or notes on the counsel’s
table before they are admitted into evidence.
• Sessions
in the judge's chambers or the jurors’ deliberations
may not be recorded or broadcast.
• Special rules apply to appellate
courts. Contact the Clerk of the Supreme Court at (208) 334-2210
for specifics.
• Photographers may not use artificial lighting
or electronic flashes on cameras, nor fast random shooting.
• Photographers are requested to utilize equipment that will minimize
noise to reduce the possibility of a disruption of the proceedings.
Motor drive cameras for example, could potentially be very
noticeable to courtroom participants and should be avoided.
• The Idaho
Press Club web site includes a page titled “Cameras in the
Idaho Courtroom” at http://idahopressclub.org/iccam.htm.
Refer to it for further guidance.
• Idaho’s trial courtrooms
will have certain areas that lend themselves to placing a still
or television camera. The objective of camera placement will
be to facilitate reasonable coverage of the courtroom without
unduly
intruding on the proceedings.
• The Idaho Supreme Court courtroom
includes a second level balcony, which faces the bench and
from which cameras may cover the entire courtroom.
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