Rule 11-11. Courtroom Media Coverage

Rule 11-11. Courtroom Media Coverage

   In the discretion of the Judge presiding, courtroom proceedings may be broadcast, both by audio and video, and may be televised, recorded, or photographed (hereafter collectively referred to as "broadcast") under the following conditions:

   1. Cameras and sound equipment of a quality and type approved by the Judge presiding in the case will be fixed in place in the courtroom with field of view of the camera and field of range of microphones being approved by the Judge presiding over the proceedings.  Other than the cameras identified herein, no other camera will be permitted in the courtroom, including a still camera.  The images produced by the camera in the courtroom should be of such a nature that still images may be retrieved.

   2. The audio broadcast shall include only the statements made in open court and shall not include communications between counsel, between counsel and their clients, or bench conferences between counsel and the court.

   3. Images of, or statements from, jurors will not be broadcast.

   4. Jury selection will not be broadcast.

   5. The following cases will not be broadcast: matters involving grand juries, juveniles (persons under 19 years old), child custody, parenting time, sexual abuse, sexual assault, and protection orders.

   6. The testimony of certain witnesses may not be broadcast.  Those witnesses are as follows: persons under age 19, a person who claims to be a victim of sexual abuse or sexual assault who will be called upon to testify about the abuse or assault, or a confidential informant whose testimony is about the matter upon which the person informed.  Any witness may make a request to prevent that person's testimony from being broadcast by making application to the Judge presiding over the proceeding indicating the reason the witness does not want his or her testimony broadcast.

   7. Upon application of any party or counsel, the court may determine to not broadcast courtroom proceedings or terminate the broadcast of courtroom proceedings.

   8. Upon application at least 14 days in advance of a scheduled hearing that may be broadcast, the court may permit other types of broadcast or recording equipment in the courtroom.

   The images and sound produced from the courtroom will be available to any broadcast media licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and any print media published in the State of Nebraska on a pool basis.

   The overriding principle shall be the guarantee of a fair trial to the litigants.  Criteria may change from time to time based on factors which the court has not yet considered, and the circumstances of individual cases.

/signed/ John P. Murphy, District Judge          /signed/ Donald E. Rowlands, District Judge

Approved June 29, 2009.