Overview
On May 17, in an article titled “New York Urged to Expressly Allow Audiovisual Access to Court Proceedings,” the New York Law Journal wrote an article about a 32-page report prepared by Steptoe & Johnson LLP on behalf of its pro bono client Fund for Modern Courts—an independent, statewide court reform organization.
Fund the Modern Courts, through its report, urges the state of New York to open its courtrooms to audiovisual media coverage, as nearly every other state in the country allows cameras to cover trial court proceedings. According to the report, electronic media coverage of court proceedings in New York has been banned since the 1930s (despite a successful 10-year trial period allowing electronic media coverage under certain circumstances) and imposes a burden on the public, particularly the elderly, handicapped and full-time employees who cannot attend trials.
William Silverman, chair of the Fund for Modern Courts, told the New York Law Journal, “Our courthouses should operate with the transparency and oversight that audiovisual coverage brings. Public understanding of the judicial system, scrutiny of important proceedings, and equal treatment under the law will be enhanced if the Legislature considers this issue now.”
The report titled, “Cameras in the Courts: Enhancing Transparency in the New York State Judiciary” was prepared by Steptoe partner Michael C. Miller, and associates Drew C. Harris and Kate Fisch.
The full article can be read at New York Law Journal (subscription required).
The full report can be read at Fund for Modern Courts.
