Chief judge of federal appeals court argues for allowing TV cameras in courtrooms

Chief Judge Alex Kozinski of the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals wrote in the Fordham University law review that it is time to allow television cameras in courtrooms to give the public a full view of the proceedings and increase public respect for the justice system. -db San Francisco Chronicle October 8, 2010 By [...]

Proposals for Greater Media Access Released for Public Comment

A California report with a series of proposals to improve media and public access to court records and state proceedings has been released for “public comment” by the Judicial Council. First Amendment Coalition September 22, 2010 By Susana Montes The draft report includes 11 recommendations from the Bench-Bar-Media Committee, appointed by the California Supreme Court. [...]

Cal Judicial Council allows partisan endorsements of judicial candidates

A decision by the California Judicial Council to allow partisan endorsements of judicial candidates enables candidates to obtain the backing of political parties. -db Metropolitan News-Enterprise June 28, 2010 By Kenneth Ofgang The California Judicial Council on Friday voted not to support a controversial proposal that would ban judicial candidates from seeking endorsements from partisan [...]

New rule allows public access to administrative records of California courts

The California Judicial Council approved a new Rule of Court this week giving the public a right of access to administrative records of Superior and Appellate courts and the Administrative Office of the Courts. The rule will be in effect January of next year and is modeled after the California Public Records Act. -DB Legislative [...]