Opinion ID: 1708780
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Common-Law and Statutory Rights

Text: As noted previously, [14] common-law rights can be modified or abolished by the Legislature. Thus, even if the public possesses a common-law right of access to preliminary examinations, [15] the Legislature can restrict that right. Consequently, MCL 750.520k; MSA 28.788(11) is a valid restriction on any common-law right. Similarly, any statutory right of access has also properly been restricted. Generally, the public does possess a statutory right of access to all courtroom proceedings. The sittings of every court within this state shall be public except that a court may, for good cause shown, exclude from the courtroom other witnesses in the case when they are not testifying and may, in actions involving scandal or immorality, exclude all minors from the courtroom unless the minor is a party or witness. This section shall not apply to cases involving national security. MCL 600.1420; MSA 27A.1420. [16] Although this right has existed since 1846, [17] it is not absolute. Detroit Free Press v Macomb Circuit Judge, 405 Mich 544, 546-547; 275 NW2d 482 (1979). It is a fundamental rule of statutory construction that apparently conflicting statutes should be construed, if possible, to give each full force and effect. State Highway Comm'r v Detroit City Controller, 331 Mich 337, 358; 49 NW2d 318 (1951). It is also well established that a later-enacted specific statute operates as an exception or a qualification to a more general prior statute covering the same subject matter and that, if there is an irreconcilable conflict between two statutes, the later-enacted one will control. See, e.g., State Highway Comm'r, supra; People v Flynn, 330 Mich 130, 141; 47 NW2d 47 (1951); Metropolitan Life Ins Co v Stoll, 276 Mich 637, 641; 268 NW 763 (1936). MCL 750.520k; MSA 28.788(11) was enacted by 1974 PA 266 and became effective on April 1, 1975. In this case, there is no irreconcilable conflict. Rather, the later-enacted specific statute serves as an exception or qualification of the right conferred by the more general prior statute. Consequently, MCL 750.520k; MSA 28.788(11) is a valid restriction on the public's general statutory right of access to courtroom proceedings.