Document: 508 U.S. 147 113 S.Ct. 2004 124 L.Ed.2d 60 EL VOCERO DE PUERTO RICO (CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL NEWS CORP.), et al., Petitionersv.PUERTO al. No. 92-949. May 17, 1993. PER CURIAM. 1 Under the Puerto Rico Rules of Criminal Procedure, an accused felon is entitled to a hearing determine if he shall be held for trial. P.R. Laws Ann., Tit. 34, App. II, Rule 23 (1991). A neutral magistrate presides over hearing, People v. Opio Opio, 104 P.R.R. (4 Official Translations 231, 239) (1975), which defendant has rights appear and counsel. 23(a)-(b). Both prosecution may introduce evidence cross-examine witnesses, 23(c), present certain affirmative defenses. Lebron Lebron, 116 (16 1052, 1058) (1986). The must whether there probable cause believe that committed offense charged. 23(c) provides "shall privately" unless requests otherwise. 2 Petitioner Jose Purcell reporter petitioner El Vocero de Rico, largest newspaper in Commonwealth. By written request respondents District Judges, sought attend preliminary hearings they were preside. In alternative, access recordings hearings. After these denied, petitioners brought this action Superior Court seeking declaration privacy provision violates First Amendment, applicable Commonwealth through Fourteenth Amendment,1 injunction against its enforcement. Petitioners based their claim on Press-Enterprise Co. California, Riverside County, 478 1, 106 2735, 92 (1986), addressed California law allowed magistrates close quite similar form function those under it was reasonably likely defendant's ability obtain fair would prejudiced. Id., at 12, 14, S.Ct., 2742, 2743. Applying "tests experience logic," id., 9, 2740, Globe Newspaper Norfolk 457 596, 102 2613, 73 248 (1982), struck down grounds criminal have traditionally been public, because issue "sufficiently like trial," U.S., public "essential the[ir] proper functioning. . ." Ibid. 3 affirming dismissal petitioners' suit, divided Supreme found did not control outcome several differences between there. Pet. Cert. 129.2 It thus proceeded constitutionality by application anew tests. court concluded closed are compatible with unique history traditions Commonwealth, display special concern honor reputation citizenry, open prejudice defendants' trials Rico's small size dense population. 4 decision below irreconcilable Press-Enterprise: precisely reasons stated decision, unconstitutional.3 distinctions drawn insubstantial. fact, each features cited support finding California's trial" require here. before magistrate; afforded counsel, cross-examination, testimony, and, least some instances, suppress illegally seized evidence;4 bound trial only upon magistrate's cause; substantial portion cases, occasion observation justice system;5 no jury present. Cf. 12-13, 2742-2743. 5 Nor commonalities coincidental: as majority noted, Rule's drafters relied one source 23. 93, n. 26. At best, distinctive render subspecies infirm seven years ago. Beyond this, however, more clearly suspect. determination likelihood defendant, yet standard insufficiently exacting protect access. 14-15, 2743-2744. contrast, standard, allowing without more. 6 Court's reliance Rican tradition also misplaced. As Circuit Appeals correctly stated, "experience" test does look particular practice any jurisdiction, but instead "to type or kind throughout United States. Rivera-Puig Garcia-Rosario, 983 F.2d 311, 323 (1992) (emphasis original). established widespread among States canvassed controlling 10-11, nn. 3-4, 2741-2742, 3-4. 7 publicity will is, course, legitimate. But can case-by-case basis: 8 "If interest asserted right trial, specific findings made demonstrating that, first, probability prejudiced closure prevent second, reasonable alternatives cannot adequately rights." 9 petition certiorari granted judgment 10 Reversed. Free Speech Clause Amendment fully applies Rico. Posadas Associates Tourism 328, 331, 2968, 2971, 266 Specifically, Commonwealth's burden proof, rules governing parties' to, presentation of, evidence, fact indictment follows, rather than precedes, matter novo higher cases where finds cause. 112-129. since unconstitutional. See 311 (1992). admissibility illegally-seized apparently question law. 107. 204-205 (Hernandez Denton, J., dissenting).

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