MEDIA PROCEDURES FOR THE SAN FERNANDO COURTHOUSES

These procedures are to ensure the security and efficient handling of cases and events in the San Fernando Courthouses. No filming, photography or electronic recording is permitted in the courthouses except as permitted in the courtroom consistent with California Rules of Court, Rule 980, or in the courthouse consistent with Local Court Rule 4.1 or specific court rules or orders. This order addresses certain specific applications of Rule 4.1 to the San Fernando Courthouses. 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 Court North Valley District or San Fernando Branch 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.
   
3. Special requests for filming courtrooms, jury rooms or employee work areas shall be made in writing and shall be made to the appropriate supervising judge through their courts' Public Information or 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. Use of hand-held audio tape recorders are permitted in the courthouse outside of the courtroom and the designated media areas so long as they comply with paragraph 10 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 - Alcove outside the Superior Court Clerk's Office.
     
   • 2nd floor - Patio outside Family Law Court.
     
   • 3rd floor - Hallway outside of Department E in front of exit on backside of building with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the wall.
     
   • 4th floor - Hallway outside of Department J in front of exit on back side of building with cameras permitted to shoot only toward the wall.
     
   • 4th floor - Balcony on front of building.
     
   • Patio arch outside front entrance on right side facing the building.
     
   • Lawn at Third Street and Brand Boulevard.
     
6. Each designated area shall be posted with signs.
   
7. 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 appropriate supervising judge of the courthouses.
   
8. 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.
   
9. Media personnel shall not attempt to photograph or interview any juror serving in the San Fernando Courthouses 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 media areas while in the courthouse.
   
10. 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 23, 1999
Signed:	William MacLaughlin Supervising Judge North Valley District Los Angeles Superior Court
Signed:	Alice C. Hill Supervising Judge San Fernando Branch 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.