It's been 10 years since a law allowing cameras to record court proceedings in New York was allowed to expire, and a new law isn't getting the support it needs in Albany.
After New York's 10-year cameras in the courtroom “experiment” expired in 1997, court rulings have given judges a lot of leeway over whether or not to allow still and video cameras to record trial proceedings, but a permanent law giving media outlets the right to photograph proceedings remains elusive.
Opponents argue that the presence of cameras creates a “circus” atmosphere in the courtroom, with lawyers playing to the cameras for personal or political gain.
But there's no evidence to suggest the recording of trials has had any effect on their outcomes. Indeed, many lawyers involved say they are too busy concentrating on their jobs to spend time worrying about recording devices in the courtroom.
From this newspaper's standpoint, images from inside the courtroom are an important tool to help us tell stories.
Sure, criminal trials are open to the public, but how many people have the time to sit through a trial day after day? Our readers depend on us to fill them in, and being able to record the demeanor and the reactions of judges, lawyers and witnesses allows the story to be told in ways written words simply can't.
The state Senate Judiciary Committee cleared a new cameras in the courtroom bill earlier this year, but no action has been taken on it since. It has not been called up for a vote by either the state Senate or the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
And although Gov. Eliot Spitzer has said he supports such legislation, he has remained on the sidelines this year.
We urge the governor to speak out about this important piece of legislation, and we hope the Legislature will make it law before the current session.
Opponents argue that the presence of cameras creates a “circus” atmosphere in the courtroom, with lawyers playing to the cameras for personal or political gain.
But there's no evidence to suggest the recording of trials has had any effect on their outcomes. Indeed, many lawyers involved say they are too busy concentrating on their jobs to spend time worrying about recording devices in the courtroom.
From this newspaper's standpoint, images from inside the courtroom are an important tool to help us tell stories.
Sure, criminal trials are open to the public, but how many people have the time to sit through a trial day after day? Our readers depend on us to fill them in, and being able to record the demeanor and the reactions of judges, lawyers and witnesses allows the story to be told in ways written words simply can't.
The state Senate Judiciary Committee cleared a new cameras in the courtroom bill earlier this year, but no action has been taken on it since. It has not been called up for a vote by either the state Senate or the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
And although Gov. Eliot Spitzer has said he supports such legislation, he has remained on the sidelines this year.
We urge the governor to speak out about this important piece of legislation, and we hope the Legislature will make it law before the current session.
