MEDIA PROCEDURES FOR THE CRIMINAL COURTS BUILDING

These procedures are to ensure the security and efficient handling of cases and events in the Criminal Courts Building. 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 Criminal Division supervising judge. 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 upon request before bringing in media coverage equipment as defined m Local Court Rule 4.1 (h)¹ and using designated media areas.
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 trial judge. Requests must indicate placement preference for microphones and cameras.
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 Office 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 13 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:
   • 2nd floor - Northwest portion of the mezzanine adjacent to Room M-3.
   • 5th floor - Taped-off area of corridor
   • 12th floor - Media Center and elevator bay.
   • 18th floor - As permitted by the District Attorney's Office.
   • 19th floor - As permitted by the Public Defender's Office.
6. Each designated area shall be posted with signs.
7. Media will have access to the 12th floor Media Center from 7 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday, except with the expressed permission of the Superior or Municipal Court supervising judge.
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 supervising judge.
9. All wires and cables in courtrooms and hallways shall be secured or covered.
10. If audio recording is not permitted by the trial court judge, audio recorders may be taken into the courtroom so long as they are not turned on and remain inside an enclosed case or bag, unless specifically prohibited by the trial court judge.
11. Media personnel shall not attempt to photograph or interview any juror serving in the Criminal Courts Building unless the juror has been excused from further jury service. After a case is concluded, media may interview jurors with their consent in designated areas while in the courthouse.
12. Media vehicles shall not be parked on the west side of Spring Street between Temple and First streets or on the adjacent sidewalks.
13. At no time shall any grouping of people in any hallway, entrance or exit become so large as to prevent normal movement of people. Any media interview that causes a hallway, entrance or exit to be blocked shall be moved to the outside of the courthouse.

Dated:	July 12, 1999
Signed:	Larry P. Fidler Supervising Judge Criminal Division Los Angeles Superior Court
Signed:	Kathleen Kennedy Powell Supervising Judge Criminal Division 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.