Monday, January 23, 2012

Illinois Supreme Court gives OK for cameras in trial courts

By Scott Reeder | Illinois Statehouse News

The new policy includes some restrictions:

• Jurors and potential jurors may not be photographed.

• Cameras and recording devices will not be allowed in juvenile, divorce, adoption, child custody and evidence suppression cases.

• No more than two television cameras and no more than two still photographers will be allowed in a courtroom at one time.

• Victims of violent felonies, police informants and relocated witnesses may request that the judge prohibit them from being photographed.

Although the policy goes into effect Tuesday, the chief judges of Illinois’ 23 circuit courts are responsible for implementing the policy. Once a chief judge of a circuit court applies and is approved by the Supreme Court, news media may request to cover eligible cases electronically in that circuit court.

Members of the news media are responsible for applying for electronic coverage each time they want to cover a particular case. Specific details of the application process will be released Tuesday.

Read the entire story by clicking on the following:  http://illinois.statehousenewsonline.com/7506/illinois-supreme-court-gives-ok-to-cameras-in-trial-courts/

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