1. Only one (1) still camera, one (1) television camera and
one (1) audio recording device which do not produce a
distracting sound or light shall be employed to cover the
arraignment, unless otherwise ordered by the Court.
2. The operator of any camera, television or audio recording
equipment shall not employ any artificial lighting device to
supplement the existing light in the courtroom.
3. Broadcasting, televising, recording and photographing in
any location of the courthouse other than in the arraignment
courtroom, at any time, is prohibited.
4. All personnel and equipment shall be situated in an
unobtrusive manner within the courtroom. The location of any
such equipment and personnel shall be determined by the judge.
The location of the camera, to the extent possible, shall
provide access to optimum coverage. Once the judge designates
the position(s) for the camera(s), the operator must remain in
that position and must not move about until the arraignment is
completed. Photographers and operators are prohibited from
photographing, videotaping, televising or recording spectators
in the courtroom.
5. If there are multiple requests to videotape, broadcast,
televise, record, or photograph the same arraignment, the media
representatives making such requests must make pooling
arrangements among themselves, unless otherwise determined by
the presiding judge.
6. Photographers and equipment operators must conduct
themselves in the courtroom quietly and discreetly, with due
regard for the dignity of the courtroom.
7. To the extent practicable, any media or pool representative
seeking to broadcast, televise, record or photograph an
arraignment shall provide as much advance notice as possible to
the Office of External Affairs (860-757-2270).
8. Media representatives desiring to broadcast, televise,
record or photograph an arraignment shall
file a written request on a form provided by the Clerk at the GA 13 Clerk’s Office by
9:45 a.m. on the date of the arraignment. The Clerk shall
transmit said request to the arraignment judge, the supervising
marshal, the state’s attorney, and the public defender or the
attorney for the defendant. The judge shall articulate his/her
decision on the request on the record prior to the arraignment.
9. On-camera reporting and taped interviews must be conducted
outside of the courthouse. No videotapes, still photographs or
audio recordings may be taken at any location in the courthouse
other than the area designated by the judge during the
arraignment being covered.
10. These orders are subject to future revisions or
modifications by the presiding judge or arraignment court judge.
_________________________________________________________________
Michael R. Dannehy, Presiding Judge, Superior Court G.A. 13
