Rule 1.25 – Recording of Court Proceedings

The Court may grant requests to record proceedings that are made in accordance with the following:
1. Authorization for Central Arraignments:
a. All requests to record central arraignments shall be made:
i. in writing to the Grand Jury Judge and
ii. on the appropriate form available through the Bailiff of the
Grand Jury Judge(Appendix B through Appendix E).
b. In the event the Grand Jury Judge decides to approve the request, the
Grand Jury Judge shall sign a journal entry setting forth the conditions of recording.
This entry shall be made part of the record of the case.
c. The Grand Jury Judge may, on his or her own motion, issue a general
order permitting the recording of all central arraignments on a continual basis.
2. Authorization for All Other Proceedings:
a. All requests to conduct an interview in the courthouse and requests to
record proceedings other than central arraignments shall be made:
i. in writing to the assigned Judge;
ii. on the appropriate form available through the Bailiff of the assigned Judge
(Appendix B through Appendix E); and
iii. as far in advance as is reasonably possible, but no later than 24 hours prior to the
proceeding to be recorded. Upon showing of good cause the Judge may waive the
advance notice provision.
b. In the event the assigned Judge decides to approve the request, the assigned Judge
shall sign a journal entry setting forth the conditions of recording. This entry shall be made
part of the record of the case.
c. No interviews shall occur anywhere in the Courthouse other than inside the courtroom
unless otherwise permitted by the assigned Judge.
3. Limitations for Recording a Proceeding:
a. No recording of proceedings or interviews and no recording equipment shall be
allowed anywhere in the courthouse in the absence of a written request and authorization.
b. In the event that a proceeding that has been recorded is continued for a period in
excess of 30 days, a new request shall be made in accordance with the procedures
set forth in Subsection (C)(2) of this Rule.
c. No recording shall be made:
i. of proceedings in the Judge’s chambers without the express permission of the Judge;
ii. in jury deliberation rooms at any time during the course of the trial or after the case
has been submitted to the jury;
iii. of victims or witnesses who object to being recorded; or
iv. of jurors.
d. Permission granted for recording shall not be interpreted to diminish:
i. the requirement that jurors are forbidden to discuss the case with any person until
after the trial is completed; and
ii. the ethical requirements that restrict judges and lawyers from releasing information
pertaining to a case while the case is pending.
e. The trial shall proceed in exactly the same manner as though there were no
recording in process.
f. Any equipment which is non-portable shall be set up and ready for operation
prior to the commencement of morning or afternoon court sessions. No person
shall be permitted to bring equipment into the courtroom while trial is in session
unless such equipment can be easily carried by a single person without
causing a distraction or a disturbance in the courtroom.
g. “Pooling” of equipment shall be required in all proceedings, unless abrogated
by the assigned Judge. It is the responsibility of those requesting permission to
record the proceedings to arrange for “pooling” of equipment.
3. Limitations for Recording a Proceeding:
a. No recording of proceedings or interviews and no recording equipment shall be
allowed anywhere in the courthouse in the absence of a written request and
authorization.
b. In the event that a proceeding that has been recorded is continued for a period in
excess of 30 days, a new request shall be made in accordance with the procedures
set forth in Subsection (C)(2) of this Rule.
c. No recording shall be made:
i. of proceedings in the Judge’s chambers without the express permission of the
Judge;
ii. in jury deliberation rooms at any time during the course of the trial or after the
case has been submitted to the jury;
iii. of victims or witnesses who object to being recorded; or
iv. of jurors.
d. Permission granted for recording shall not be interpreted to diminish:
i. the requirement that jurors are forbidden to discuss the case with any person
until after the trial is completed; and
ii. the ethical requirements that restrict judges and lawyers from releasing
information pertaining to a case while the case is pending.
e. The trial shall proceed in exactly the same manner as though there were no
recording in process.
f. Any equipment which is non-portable shall be set up and ready for operation prior
to the commencement of morning or afternoon court sessions. No person shall be
permitted to bring equipment into the courtroom while trial is in session unless such
equipment can be easily carried by a single person without causing a distraction or a
disturbance in the courtroom.
g. “Pooling” of equipment shall be required in all proceedings, unless abrogated by the
assigned Judge. It is the responsibility of those requesting permission to record the
proceedings to arrange for “pooling” of equipment.