SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
MUNICIPAL COURT, PASADENA JUDICIAL DISTRICT
MEDIA PROCEDURES FOR THE PASADENA COURTHOUSE
These procedures are to ensure the security and efficient handling of cases
and events in the Pasadena 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 Local Court Rule 4.1 or 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 Court Northeast District supervising judge or
Pasadena Municipal Court presiding judge. Violation of these orders will
result in contempt of court or monetary sanction pursuant to Code of Civil
Procedures 177.5
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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.
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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.
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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
Public Information Officer 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.
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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.
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Designated media areas for media interviews as defined in Court Rule 4.1 (h),
press conferences and on-camera statements to the media are:
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1st floor - Corridor that leads to Municipal Court near the judge's entrance
of the building. Cameras must shoot toward the wall.
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2nd floor - South end of the corridor that runs parallel to Garfield Avenue.
Cameras must shoot toward the wall.
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4th floor - Northwest corner of the corridor (Walnut and Garfield) near
Department C. Cameras must shoot toward the wall.
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5th floor - Northwest corner of the corridor (Walnut and Garfield)
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6th floor - Northwest corner of the corridor (Walnut and Garfield)
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Each designated area shall be posted with signs.
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If there are more than four crews (television and print), pools for each
medium will be selected.
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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 of
the courthouse.
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If audio recording is not permitted by the trial court judge, radio 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.
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Media personnel shall not attempt to photograph or interview any juror
serving in the Pasadena 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.
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At no time shall any grouping of people in any hallway, entrance or exit
become so large as to prevent normal movement of people. The interview
shall be moved to the outside of the courthouse.
| Dated: |
June 17, 1999 |
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| Signed: |
Thomas Stoever
Supervising Judge
Northeast District
Los Angeles Superior Court
Presiding Judge
Pasadena 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.