1. The first is by Magistrate Judge Goodman, who will be handling the initial appearance. He denied a motion by a bunch of press organizations who wanted to take pictures insider or outside the courtroom. Here's the order, written in Judge Goodman's style -- including this line: "I follow the 'stay in your lane' philosophy." I understand why Judge Goodman denied the motion, but I wish the public had greater access to the courtroom. In fact, I wrote this piece today saying we should have cameras in the courtroom.
2. The second is by Chief Judge Altonaga, who issued an order saying that journalists cannot bring their cell phones into the courthouse. Wow, it's going to be a very long day for them inside waiting for the 3pm hearing. I love the Chief, but I don't think this is right. We rely on our cell phones. We need to be in touch with our families, our offices, and so on. Journalists are people too!
12 comments:
I agree with both orders. There are bad people who dont keep their phones off and secretly record things inside the courtroom.
Having said that, I hope someday there will be one video camera allowed to let people see federal court and especially the Supreme Court.
Lol. What? I grew up in the late 80s and 90s. We did just fine without cell phones. So no, you don't need a cell phone to survive waiting until 3pm.
I hope the press sues for access.
It's not the 80s or 90s anymore. You can certainly live just fine without many (if not most) of the apps on your cell phone, but that doesn't mean you don't need a cell phone.
News agencies have access to journalists with law degrees.. they can bring their cell phones.
@11:41 LMAO. People lived without cell phones before they arrived . 7 hours without a cell phone? I'm sure they'll live. And then they'll rush out and sensationalize a mundane first appearance that we have all done in our sleep.
Why should this be any different? No cellphones in Courtroom, period. Tell them to take notes!
Bunch of luddites.
DOM: when trump’s people called you and asked if you’d represent him, for how long did you laugh before saying “f— no?” 8 minutes?
The sketch artist took about 15 years and 40 pounds off. All he needs is a cape.
The cellphone rule is stupid regardless of the day.
The Circus Has Left Town (For Now). What Next?
Like death and taxes, you can count on intense media scrutiny of the criminal legal system when the rich and powerful are brought to court. Even as a public defender, I can’t count the calls and emails our office has received over the last few days. I don’t fault journalists for wanting a public comment or background information to help describe and explain these unprecedented proceedings.
I can, however, urge the media to remain vigilant. The media can and should inform the "crime debate" during our current election cycle through agenda-setting and framing.
Unfortunately, there are a multitude of issues that merit the media’s attention. For example:
Police are far more likely to stop, search, and arrest people of color.
People who can afford to pay money bail can return to their jobs and families as they await trial. In a country where more than 25 percent of people in a 2021 survey reported no emergency savings, many cannot afford to purchase their freedom.
When convicted of crimes, Black and Hispanics are punished more severely, with harsher prison terms.
The United States incarcerates at a rate of more than 600 people per 100,000. This rate is at least double that of all but a handful of countries.
The criminal legal system is also profoundly unjust to those experiencing poverty, mental illness, housing instability, and drug abuse.
After people emerge from prison, the criminal legal system burdens people by imposing fines, fees, and restrictions on employment and housing, making it hard for people convicted of crimes to earn a legal living. Too often, this results in a cycle of incarceration that is hard to escape.
Sadly, these are only a few issues we, as public defenders, confront daily. If anyone from the Miami Herald, Sun-Sentinel, or Palm Beach Post is interested in exploring these issues for their readers, let me know.
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