1. Proceedings of the Court of Criminal Appeals held in the courtroom of the Judicial Building may be broadcast by television or radio, and may be recorded electronically or photographed, if in compliance with the provisions of this plan, and Canon 3A(7B) of the Canons of Judicial Ethics.2. No broadcasting, recording or photographing should detract from the dignity of the court proceedings.3. Persons desiring to broadcast, record or photograph official court proceedings must make a timely request to the Clerk of the Court of Criminal Appeals prior to the hearing, trial or event, specifying the particular case, hearing or event for which coverage is desired. Request forms are available in the Clerk's Office. (See Exhibit "A".)4. Written consent from attorneys and parties, if present, shall be obtained on a form, copies of which are available in the Clerk's Office. (See Exhibit "B".).5. Consent to cover a proceeding shall be granted pursuant to these rules without partiality or preference to any person, media outlet, or type of coverage. Consent may not be given, refused or withdrawn as to one type of coverage, or as to any particular media outlet, and given, refused or withdrawn to another type or another media outlet.6. No more than four (4) still photographers and two (2) television cameras will be permitted in the courtroom for coverage at any time while a trial or hearing is in session. However, the Marshal shall allow all photographers and television stations to participate either by pooling, or by dividing the time so that all will be allowed to participate. The positionings and removal of cameras shall be done as quietly as possible and in no event shall disturb the proceedings of the court.7. The Marshal, upon request, may permit persons to obtain audio from the court's recording system on a Otherwise, the wires must be placed where they will not interfere with anyone or constitute, a hazard. The Marshal shall inspect the location of any wires and microphones to see that they shall comply with the rules. Wiring cannot be removed while court is in session, except during recesses.8. No lights, flashbulbs, flashes or sudden light changes may be used except with the express authorization of the Marshal or the court, provided, however, that overhead lights, when provided, may be switched on and off by the Marshal.9. Every person desiring to cover a proceeding will furnish his own equipment.10. All television cameras are restricted to the rear of the courtroom. Television cameras or still cameras which produce distracting noise or sound cannot be used.11. During sessions of court, photographers using still cameras may sit anywhere in the courtroom designated for use by the public, and may take pictures, but the Marshal, upon request of a party, attorney, witness or judge, may require them to take photographs only while standing behind the back row of seats. If a photographer wants to take pictures while standing, he must take them from the area behind the back row of seats.12. Television personnel shall be limited in their movements to the rear of the courtroom and to the area behind the back row of seats. There shall be no unnecessary movement of cameramen.13. The Marshal may allow wireless recording devices to be operated in the courtroom if they are not too bulky and if they do not make a disturbing sound. The operator may sit or stand. If he stands, he must be behind the back row of seats. Whether he sits or stands, he must keep the recording device with him.14. All persons covering a hearing or event will avoid activity which might distract, and will remain within the restricted areas designated by the court or the Marshal.17. All persons who request and are granted permission to cover a hearing or event are subject to this plan and thereby agree to observe the rules and objectives set out in it.18. In the event the court is in session at a place other than the courtroom in the Judicial Building, this plan shall be followed to the extent possible. Details regarding coverage of sessions held outside of Montgomery must be cleared with the Marshal, prior to the session.19. The restrictions under this plan are not applicable to the coverage of investiture, ceremonial or nonjudicial proceedings.Approved by the Supreme Court of Alabama effective 10/21/1993.
Publisher's Note
The Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, in its May 13,1991 Ordoi-approving this Plan, stated the following:
This Court notes that the plan contains minute details, and there may be times when some of the provisions of the plan should be waived; therefore, this Court ORDERS that the presiding judge may waive provisions of the plan, without prior approval of this Court, with the following exceptions: the presiding judge may not waive any provisions of the plan which govern the places where cameras, lights, wire and transmitting devices may be located, or any provision contained in Canon 3A(7) or 3A(7B) of the Alabama Canons of; Judicial Ethics.