Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2001/02/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In the U.S., press coverage of a trial is always a balance between the First Amendment freedom of the press and the Sixth Amendment rights of a defendant to a fair trial before an impartial jury. Many state courts now allow cameras in the courtroom, but have conditioned this on the approval of the judge. In practice, judges often limit sound, lights, or limit the number of cameras, the time during which photos may be taken, and requiring that press agencies pool their coverage. The federal rules of evidence still prohibit cameras in all federal courtrooms. Such limitations or the outright ban of cameras in the courtroom comes primarily from the U.S. Supreme Court cases of Sheppard v. Maxwell (the well-known Sam Sheppard case) and Estes v. Texas (Billy Sol Estes). I can provide cites to these if anyone is interested. Courtroom artists are somewhat of a dying breed, but are generally allowed in all adult courts. Even sketch artists may have limitations placed upon them by the court - again, in order to preserve the Sixth Amendment rights of the accused. Many (if not most) states also have laws that protect the identities of jurors - based primarily on the notion that jury duty is mandatory and should not involuntarily subject jurors and potential jurors to the public pressure that could be brought to bear in many cases. Bryan - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brougham" <brougham3@yahoo.com> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Wednesday, February 14, 2001 4:16 AM Subject: [Leica] Re: Is Photography Real... > Mark Rabiner <mark@rabiner.cncoffice.com> wrote: > > > A photograph is a piece of paper with silver on it. > > A drawing is a piece of paper with charcoal on it. > > > > No one's ever going to accuse you of invading their privacy or > > compromising > > thier rights with a piece of paper with charcoal on it. > > But a piece of paper with silver on it and they call their lawyer. > > Just this past week on the news, a courtroom artist had his pad > confiscated because he drew images that showed a juror's face. I > think this was one of the bin Laden cases. The judge had ordered no > images of any kind of the jurors was permissible. > > I still don't understand why courts generally allow sketch artists > instead of photographers. But that's another thread... > > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail - only $35 > a year! http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/ >