Rule 16-607 - Operational Requirements(a) In General.(1) Extended coverage shall be conducted so as not to interfere with the right of any person to a fair and impartial trial or with the dignity and decorum of the proceeding.(2) No proceeding shall be delayed or continued in order to allow for extended coverage, nor shall extended coverage influence any ruling on a motion for continuance.(3) There shall be no audio coverage of private conferences, bench conferences, or conferences at counsel tables.(4) Only equipment that does not produce light or distracting sound may be employed.(5) No artificial lighting device may be employed. With the approval of the presiding judge, modifications may be made to light sources existing in the courtroom, provided: (A) they are made before commencement of the proceeding or during a recess;(B) they are installed and maintained without public expense; and(C) unless the court orders otherwise, upon completion of the extended coverage the person conducting the extended coverage, at that person's expense, restores the light sources to their prior condition.(6) Equipment may not be placed in or removed from a courtroom except before commencement or following adjournment of the proceeding each day or during a recess in the proceeding. Film magazines and still camera film and lenses may be changed in a courtroom only during a recess in the proceeding.(7) Broadcast media representatives may not move about the courtroom while proceedings are in session, and microphones and recording equipment, once positioned, may not be moved during the pendency of the proceeding. Committee note: Nothing in this Rule prohibits the granting of a reasonable request to use court-controlled electronic or photographic equipment or materials.
(b) Television or Movie Cameras.(1) Only one television or movie camera shall be permitted in a trial court proceeding. Not more than two stationary television or movie cameras shall be permitted in an appellate court proceeding.(2) Television or movie camera equipment shall be positioned outside the rail of the courtroom or, if there is no rail, in the area reserved for spectators, at a location approved in advance by the presiding judge.(3) Whenever possible, recording and broadcasting equipment that is not a component of a television or movie camera shall be located outside the courtroom in an area approved in advance by the presiding judge.(c) Still Cameras.(1) Only one still photographer, using not more than two still cameras with not more than two lenses for each camera, and related equipment approved in advance by the presiding judge shall be permitted in any proceeding.(2) A still camera photographer shall remain outside the rail of the courtroom or, if there is no rail, in the area reserved for spectators, at a location approved in advance by the presiding judge. The photographer may not photograph from any other place and may not engage in any movement or assume any body position that would be likely to attract attention or be disturbing. Unless positioned in or beyond the last row of spectators' seats or in an aisle to the outside of the spectators' seating area, the photographer shall remain seated while photographing.(d) Audio Equipment.(1) Only one audio system for broadcast purposes shall be permitted in a proceeding.(2) Audio feed shall be accomplished from existing audio systems, except that, if no technically suitable audio system exists, unobtrusive microphones and related wiring may be located in places designated in advance by the presiding judge.(3) Microphones located at the judge's bench and at counsel tables shall be equipped with mute switches.(4) A directional microphone may be mounted on a television or movie camera, but no parabolic, lavalier, or similar microphones may be used.(e) Pooling Arrangements. Any pooling arrangement required by the limitations in this Rule on equipment and personnel is the sole responsibility of the persons interested in the extended coverage, without calling upon the presiding judge to mediate or resolve a dispute as to the appropriate representative or equipment authorized to provide extended coverage of a proceeding. If any such dispute is not resolved in advance, the presiding judge shall deny or terminate extended coverage. This Rule is derived from former Rule 16-109(2016).
Adopted June 6, 2016, eff. 7/1/2016.