Document: 434 U.S. 241 98 S.Ct. 546 54 L.Ed.2d 506 PHILADELPHIA NEWSPAPERS, INC., et al.v.Domenic D. JEROME, Judge of the Court Common Pleas Delaware County, Pennsylvania. No. 77-308. Jan. 9, 1978. PER CURIAM. 1 The proceedings below were brought to gain access by press and public pretrial suppression hearings in three separate state criminal proceedings. Access was denied trial judges closed all sealed impounded papers, documents, records filed cases. also prohibited parties, their attorneys, officials, certain others, from disseminating information concerning hearings. ppellants then petitions for writs mandamus with Supreme However, these without opinion. Appellants, arguing that they had been federal constitutional rights, now urge us take appellate jurisdiction matters under 28 U.S.C. § 1257(2). 2 As stand, record does not disclose whether Pennsylvania passed on appellants' claims or it an adequate independent ground. For this reason, we vacate judgments Court, remand cause court such further as may deem appropriate clarify record. See California v. Krivda, 409 33, 93 32, 34 45 (1972). 3 So ordered. 4 Mr. Justice REHNQUIST, whom STEVENS joins, dissenting. 5 today summarily vacates State remands Neither past decisions nor policy considerations support unwarranted assumption imposition courts. 6 Rules Criminal Procedure permit a judge close at request defendant, mandate be sealed, allow "widely-publicized sensational case" prohibit parties witnesses making extrajudicial statements. This appeal stems entry orders murder trials. In first trial, appellants petition judge; same day, writ prohibition plenary Court. after hearing ground, according appellants, "he obligated accord prima facie validity Court's Rules." two weeks later Appellants similar presiding over other trials; ground lacked standing challenge orders. thereafter again which 7 We do know why jurisdiction.1 There is no reason presume rejected because disagreed claims. extraordinary relief. has consistently emphasized are "to used only great caution forbearance remedy cases extreme necessity, secure order regularity judicial if none ordinary remedies provided law applicable afford relief." Such relief "is absolute right but rests largely sound discretion court. It will never granted where there complete effective appeal, certiorari, error, injunction, otherwise." Carpentertown Coal & Coke Co. Laird, 360 Pa. 94, 102, 61 A.2d 426, 430 (1948). Commonwealth ex rel. Specter Shiomos, 457 104, 320 134 (1974); re Specter, 455 518, 317 286 Francis Corleto, 418 417, 211 503 (1965). 8 While claim drew into question sections described above, denials did its face decide favor rules' validity. Thus, would appear have note 1257(2).2 9 Of course, grounded decision violate Federal Constitution. But require presumably valid judgment supreme A less intrusive alternative, one supported precedents postpone consideration until opportunity demonstrate appealed rest See, e. g., Lynum Illinois, 368 908, 82 190, 128 (1961) (consideration certiorari deferred counsel petitioner certificate Illinois herein intended ground"); Herb Pitcairn, 324 117, 65 459, 89 L.Ed. 789 (1945). By vacating below, taking normal burden demonstrating placing deny regularly typically expressing our reasons so doing. should place higher requirement courts penalty judgment. 10 affirm judges. If reasonable doubt affirmance grounds, precedential res judicata effects might call below. Cf. (1972) (judgment affirming vacated when unclear rested grounds). merely discretionary indicating any opinion challenge. thus free pursue through actions still open them. Under circumstances, lower merits wrong chosen, dismissed certiorari. Phyle Duffy, 334 431, 68 1131, 92 1494 (1948); Woods Nierstheimer, 328 211, 66 996, 90 1177 (1946); White Ragen, 760, 978, 1348 I here unless carry establishing Title 17 Pa.Cons.Stat. 211.201 (Purdon Supp.1977) gives "original exclusive jurisdiction" issue inferior jurisdiction. Pa.Cons.Sta . 211.205 Supp.1977), entitled "Extraordinary Jurisdiction," permits assume "on own motion upon party, matter pending before justice peace involving immediate importance." Section 1257(2) provides review final rendered highest "[b]y drawn statute being repugnant Constitution, treaties laws United States, validity."

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