SD26 - Report of the Supreme Court of Virginia Concerning Electronic Media and Still Photography in the Courts
Executive Summary: Prior to 1987, electronic media photography, still photography, and the broadcasting of judicial proceedings by radio or television were prohibited in Virginia courtrooms by Code § 19.2-266 and by this Court's Rule 1:14, except for provisions relating to the preservation of the record by electronic means. The Court is advised that similar prohibitions existed, and are still in effect, in the Supreme Court of the United States and in the federal courts sitting in Virginia and throughout the United States. Effective July 1, 1987, the General Assembly amended Code § 19.2-266 to provide for a two-year experimental program to be administered by this Court. The program was to be conducted over a two-year period in the Supreme Court, in the Court of Appeals, and in two circuit courts and two general district courts to be designated by this Court. In those courts, electronic media and still photography coverage were to be employed, subject to rules prescribed by the statute. In 1989, the statute was amended to extend the experimental program from two to three years in duration and to increase the number of circuit courts participating in the experiment from two to three. This Court designated the circuit courts of Bedford County, Henrico County, and the City of Virginia Beach, and the general district courts of Caroline County and the City of Charlottesville to conduct the experiment. Rule 1:14 was amended to conform to the statutory changes. The final provision of Code § 19.2-266, as amended, provides: "The Supreme Court shall report its findings concerning the impact of the experimental program on the Commonwealth's judicial system by December 31, 1989, to the General Assembly and the Governor.'' This report is made pursuant to that provision. |
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