Eyes on the Courts Act of 2015

To provide for media coverage of Federal appellate court proceedings, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Eyes on the Courts Act of 2015 2. Media coverage in Federal appellate court proceedings (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Presiding judge The term presiding judge (A) in en banc sittings of any United States circuit court of appeals, the presiding judge shall be the chief judge of the circuit whenever the chief judge participates; and (B) in en banc sittings of the Supreme Court of the United States, the presiding judge shall be the Chief Justice whenever the Chief Justice participates. (2) Appellate court of the United States The term appellate court of the United States (b) Media coverage of court proceedings (1) In general The presiding judge in a proceeding of an appellate court of the United States shall permit the photographing, electronic recording, broadcasting, televising, or streaming in real time or near-real time on the Internet of that proceeding to or for the public, unless— (A) the presiding judge determines in writing, on the motion of any party to the proceeding or sua sponte, that allowing such photographing, recording, broadcasting, televising, or streaming would violate the due process rights of a party to the proceeding or is otherwise not in the interests of justice; and (B) the determination under paragraph (1) is published at least 72 hours before the proceeding begins. (2) Interlocutory appeals barred The determination of a presiding judge under paragraph (1)(A) may not be challenged through an interlocutory appeal. (3) Guidelines The Judicial Conference of the United States may promulgate guidelines with respect to the management and administration of photographing, recording, broadcasting, televising, or streaming described under paragraph (1). (4) Procedures In the interests of justice and fairness, the presiding judge of each appellate court of the United States may promulgate rules and disciplinary measures for the courtroom use of any form of media or media equipment and the acquisition or distribution of any of the images or sounds obtained in the courtroom. The presiding judge may also require written acknowledgment of the rules by anyone individually or on behalf of any entity before being allowed to acquire any images or sounds from the courtroom. (c) Effective date This Act shall apply with respect to any proceeding in an appellate court of the United States that begins on or after the end of the 14-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act.

Summary: Eyes on the Courts Act of 2015 This bill requires the presiding judge of a U.S. appellate court, including the Supreme Court, to permit court proceedings to be photographed, electronically recorded, broadcasted, televised, or streamed on the Internet to or for the public, unless the judge determines, upon a motion of a party or the judge, that it would constitute a violation of the due process rights of a party or is not in the interests of justice. The Judicial Conference may promulgate mandatory guidelines with respect to the management and administration of such photographing, recording, broadcasting, televising, or streaming. The presiding judge of each appellate court may promulgate rules and disciplinary measures for the courtroom use of any form of media or media equipment and the acquisition or distribution of any of the images or sounds obtained in the courtroom.