Rule 2. Public and Media Access to the Courts

• 2.01 Public Use of Courtrooms

  1. Questions concerning the admission of persons to a courtroom shall be within the province of the judge to whom that courtroom is assigned, within the guidelines of public access to all court proceedings, and consistent with the dignity of the court.
  2. Public statements by the court, counsel, court personnel, and witnesses shall be regulated by the judge to whom the case is assigned within, the guidelines of public access to court proceedings, and the right of the parties to be free of improper publicity within, areas protected by fundamental rights.
  3. No recording shall be made of any court proceeding without the approval of the judge conducting the proceeding.  All such recordings must conform to the guidelines set forth in the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio.

• 2.02 Permission to Broadcast/Record Proceedings

  1. Requests for permission to broadcast, record, photograph or televise in the courtroom shall be in writing to the Administrative Services Department, as far in advance as reasonably practical, but in no event later than one-half (1/2) hour prior to the courtroom session to be broadcast or photographed, unless otherwise permitted by the trial judge or magistrate.  Request forms may be obtained from the Administrative Services Department. The Administrative Services Department shall immediately inform the trial judge or magistrate of the request.
  2. The judge assigned to the trial or hearing shall permit the broadcasting or recording by electronic means and taking of photographs in court proceedings open to the public, upon request, unless the judge determines that to do so would distract the participants, impair the dignity of the proceedings, or otherwise materially interfere with the achievement of a fair trial.  Both the request for permission and the ruling on the request must be in writing and made a part of the record of the proceedings.
  3. The filming, videotaping, recording, or taking of photographs of victims or witnesses who object shall not be permitted.

• 2.03 Pooling

  Arrangements shall be made between or among media for “pooling” equipment and personnel authorized by this rule to cover the court sessions.  Such arrangements are to be made outside the courtroom and without imposing on the trial judge or court personnel resolution of any dispute as to the appropriate media “pool” representative or equipment authorized to cover a particular session.

• 2.04 Equipment and Personnel

  1. Not more than one portable camera (television, video‑tape or movie), operated by not more than one in‑court camera person shall be permitted without permission of the trial judge.
  2. Not more than one still photographer, utilizing not more than two still cameras of professional quality with not more than two lenses for each camera, shall be permitted without permission of the trial judge.
  3. Not more than one audio system for radio broadcast purposes shall be permitted without permission of the trial judge.
  4. If audio arrangements cannot be reasonably made in advance, the trial judge may permit one audio portable tape recorder at the bench which will be activated prior to commencement of the courtroom session.
  5. “Visible” audio portable tape recorders may not be used by the news media without prior permission of the trial judge.

• 2.05 Light and Sound Criteria

  1. Only professional quality telephonic, photographic and audio equipment which does not produce distracting sound or light shall be employed to cover courtroom sessions.  No motor driven still cameras shall be permitted.
  2. No artificial lighting device other than that normally used in the courtroom shall be employed. Provided that if the normal lighting in the courtroom can be improved without becoming obtrusive, the trial judge may permit modification.
  3. Audio pickup by microphone for all media purposes shall be accomplished from existing audio systems present in the courtroom.  Microphones shall be located only at the trial judge’s bench, witness stand and jury rail.  Microphones shall be visible, secured, but unobtrusive.  If no technically suitable audio system exists in the courtroom, microphones and related wiring essential for all media purposes shall be unobtrusive and located in places designated by this local rule or the trial judge in advance of any session.

• 2.06 Location of Equipment and Personnel

  1. One television camera shall be positioned on a tripod, at a position designated by the trial judge, and remain fixed in that position.  This designated area shall provide reasonable access to coverage.  Videotape recording equipment, or other technical equipment which is not a component part of an in-court television or broadcasting unit, shall be located in a room adjacent to or outside of the courtroom.
  2. The television, broadcast and still camera operators shall position themselves in a location in the courtroom, either standing or sitting, and shall assume a fixed position within that area.  Having established themselves in a shooting position, they shall act so as not to call attention to themselves through further movement.  Sudden moves, pans, tilts or zooms by television or still camera operators are prohibited.  Operators shall not be permitted to move about in order to obtain photographs or broadcasts of courtroom sessions, except to leave or enter the courtroom.
  3. Television cameras, microphones and taping equipment shall not be placed in, moved during, or removed from the courtroom except prior to commencement of or after adjournment of the session (as determined by the trial judge’s use of the gavel to commence or adjourn the session) or during a recess.

• 2.07 Miscellaneous

  1. Proper courtroom decorum shall be maintained by all media pool participants.
  2. All media representatives shall be properly attired in accordance with the decorum of open court.

• 2.08 Limitations

  1. There shall be no audio pickup or broadcast of conferences conducted in a courtroom between counsel and clients, co-counsel, or the trial judge and counsel.
  2. The court shall inform victims and witnesses of their right to object to being filmed, videotaped, recorded, or photographed.  The court shall retain discretion to limit or prohibit broadcasting, recording, photographing or televising, upon objections of any victim or witness.  The court shall prohibit broadcasting, recording, photographing or televising, by any means, victims of sexual assaults, jurors, informants and undercover police officers. 

• 2.09 Revocation of Permission

  Upon the failure of any media representatives to comply with either the conditions prescribed by the trial judge, the guidelines contained in the Rules of Superintendence for the Courts of Ohio, or this local rule, the trial judge may revoke the permission to broadcast, record, photograph or televise the trial or hearing.