Many states require advance written application for permission. Coverage is prohibited in nearly all states in cases involving juveniles, and most states prohibit coverage of victims of sex crimes, domestic relations cases and trials involving trade secrets. Voir dire coverage generally is prohibited. Coverage of jurors either is prohibited or is restricted to prevent visual identification of jurors. Some states prohibit coverage of witnesses who appear under subpoena, and many states deny coverage of victims or witnesses who object.
All states ban coverage of conferences in court.
The guidelines generally include provisions for media equipment, lights, number of media personnel, types of cameras, position of equipment operators and movement in the courtroom. The summary and charts in this section were compiled by the Information Service of the National Center for State Courts and is reprinted with permission. The center is at 300 Newport Avenue, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. The information in these charts was last revised in February 1997. Copyright 1997 Society of Professional Journalists.