These procedures are to ensure the security and efficient handling of cases and events in the County Courthouse. No filming, photography or electronic recording is permitted in the courthouse except as permitted in the courtroom consistent with California Rules of Court, Rule 980, or in the courthouse consistent with specific court rules or orders. These procedures have been developed for the protection of all parties and are subject to modification based on specific circumstances or wishes of an individual trial court judge in the courtroom, or Superior or Municipal Court assistant presiding or presiding judge or supervising judge of the courthouse. Violation of these orders will result in contempt of court or monetary sanction pursuant to Code of Civil Procedures 177.5.

1. Law enforcement press passes or other recognized media credentials shall be presented for inspection to Sheriff or Court personnel before media coverage equipment as defined in Local Court Rule 4.1 (h)¹ is brought into the courthouse and upon request at any time while transporting such equipment in the courthouse or using designated media areas in the courthouse.
   
2. Requests for media coverage as defined in Court Rule 4.1 (h) in courtrooms, using the designated form under California Rules of Court, Rule 980, shall be submitted to the judge assigned to the proceeding.
   
3. Special requests for filming courtrooms, jury rooms or employee work areas shall be made in writing and shall be made through the Los Angeles Superior Court Public Information Officer or the Los Angeles Municipal Court Public Affairs Office five days before the proposed filming or photographing is to occur, unless good cause is shown. The request should include the amount of time needed to complete the assignment. Time limits will be strictly enforced.
   
4. Media coverage equipment as defined in Court Rule 4.1 (h) shall be used only in the designated media areas and not in any hallway or elevator outside of the designated areas. Hand-held audio tape recorders are permitted in the courthouse outside of the courtroom, so long as they comply with paragraph 11 of this Order.
   
5. Designated media areas for media interviews as defined in Court Rule 4.1(h), press conferences and on-camera statements to the media are:
   
   • 1st floor - Northeast corner at the west end of the hallway adjacent to the up escalator with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the north or east wall of that corner
     
   • 2nd floor - Room 200 (Press Room) - East end of the corridor with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the east wall
     
   • 3rd floor - East end of the corridor with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the east wall
     
   • 4th floor - East end of the corridor with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the east wall
     
   • 5th floor - East end of the corridor with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the east wall
     - West end of the corridor with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the west wall
     - South stairwell landing
     - North stairwell landing
     
   • 6th floor - East and West ends of the corridor with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the east wall at the east end of the corridor and only toward the west wall at the west end of the corridor;
     
   • 7th floor - West end of the corridor with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the west wall;
     
   • 8th floor - West end of the corridor with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the west wall;
     
   • 9th floor - East end of the corridor with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the wood paneled wall - Roof terrace, northeast corner, with cameras permitted to shoot only away from the building
   
   
7. Each designated area shall be posted with signs.
   
8. Equipment and devices used for media coverage as defined in Court Rule 4.1(h) shall be turned off while being transported to designated media areas or courtrooms unless otherwise permitted in writing by the assistant presiding or presiding judge or supervising judge of the courthouse.
   
9. If audio recording is not permitted by the trial court judge, radio recorders may be taken into the courtroom if they are not turned on and remain inside an enclosed case or bag, unless specifically prohibited by the trial court judge.
   
10. Media personnel shall not attempt to photograph or interview any juror or person wearing a juror badge in the County Courthouse unless the juror has been excused from further jury service. After a case is concluded, media may interview jurors with their consent and in designated areas while in the courthouse.
    
11. At no time shall any grouping of people in any hallway, entrance or exit become so large as to prevent or impede normal movement of people. The interview shall be moved to the outside of the courthouse.

Dated:March 25, 1999

James A. Bascue
Assistant Presiding Judge
Los Angeles Superior Court

Ray L. Hart
Assistant Presiding Judge
Los Angeles Municipal Court

¹ Local Court Rule 4.1(h). "Media coverage" means any photographing, recording, or broadcasting of court proceedings by the media using television, radio, photographic or recording equipment.