The Johnson County Courthouse is seen in Franklin in fall 2022. County courts are ready to allow the broadcasting and photographing of court proceedings by members of the media, with permission.
Daily Journal File Photo
Johnson County is ready to allow cameras in courtrooms, though no “lights, camera, action” has happened yet.
Since May 1, judges across Indiana can now choose to allow news media to broadcast, televise, record, digitally stream, or photograph inside courtrooms. Previously, Indiana was one of only a handful of states that didn’t permit cameras under any circumstances.
The change in policy is a result of a judicial rule issued by the Indiana Supreme Court in February, which gives local judges the power to allow photos and videos on a case-by-case basis. It also followed a four-month pilot program, which was developed by the state supreme court in conjunction with the Hoosier State Press Association and the Indiana Broadcasters Association.
For the pilot, members of the news media were allowed to broadcast certain in-person proceedings in certain courtrooms in Allen, Delaware, Lake, Tippecanoe and Vanderburgh counties. The project also allowed for rebroadcasting of any live-streamed proceeding with approval from the judge, the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported last year.
Earlier this year, Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush told Indianapolis TV station WRTV that Hoosiers should have the chance to see how justice works in the state and that for people to trust the courts, they needed to know what was going on inside the courtrooms.
The rule change only allows members of the media to request to film inside courtrooms, not all members of the public. All recording is still off limits without prior approval, said Shena Johnson, Johnson County court administrator.
“The judges support open access to the courts, so long as it does not affect the swift administration of justice or prejudice any parties to an action,” she said.
The county has created a form for media requests, which has been available online since late May. Members of the media can request to use cameras in the county’s three adult criminal courts, along with the county’s two civil courts. Juvenile Court is the only court where it is not allowed, documents show.
Broadcasts of minors and jurors, along with victims of violent offenses, sex offenses and domestic abuse, are prohibited under the state’s judicial rule. Other prohibitions include juvenile and Child in Need of Services, or CHINS, matters, attorney-client communications and more.
Upon submitting a request, the judge will provide a copy of the request to the attorneys listed in the case, and to parties appearing without an attorney, the form says.
Any use of cameras or audio equipment has to be done in a way that is consistent with the rights of the parties involved and to not excessively distract participants in the proceeding and not otherwise interfere with the administration of justice. The judge in charge of the proceeding also has the right to stop or limit the broadcast at any time during the proceeding, documents show.
Johnson County Prosecutor Lance Hamner said if he was still a judge, he would’ve likely not been in favor of the rule being changed, citing concerns about people playing for the camera instead of staying on task. But he would’ve been open-minded.
As prosecutor, he is still open-minded on the change, he said.
“I still am open-minded,” Hamner said.
So far, the county has not received any requests for broadcasts utilizing the new form. However, they did receive a request prior to its implementation, Johnson said.
