Written Memo Assignment #1: “Cameras in Our Courtrooms”

Years ago, cameras simply were not allowed in any American courtrooms. But, over time, the situation changed, and photographers and later TV cameras were allowed into some judicial proceedings. In the 1990s, the “ Court Channel ” introduced gavel-to-gavel coverage of some high-profile cases in American jurisprudence, including the rape trial of William Kennedy Smith in Florida and the murder trial of famed football star O.J. Simpson in California. The expansion of cameras into courtrooms, however, has not been met with universal acceptance. The US Supreme Court, most importantly, bans photographers and TV from its proceedings and those of all the federal courts. If you see a case being televised on TV, you know the case is in one of our 50 state court systems.

Prepare and submit a written memo, no more than 8-9 pages long (including Title, Abstract page, and source page used in APA format papers), discussing the controversy of cameras in the courtrooms. In your memo, please make sure you, at a minimum, discuss all the issues listed in the “bullet points” below:

· In 2020, in the United States judicial systems, where are cameras allowed – and not allowed?

· Does the US Supreme Court provide specific reasons why it, the most important court in the land, bans cameras in federal courts?

· Has the Supreme Court ever allowed cameras in the federal courts?

· List some effects, if any, of cameras on the rights of a criminal defendant – both good and bad.

· What about other folks? What is the impact of cameras, if any, on the rights of crime victims, witnesses and perhaps even their families?

· Do you believe that citizens have an absolute right to the televising of just about any activity conducted by government agencies, departments, and officials?

· Is there any reliable evidence that cameras in the courtrooms change the way any of the participants in the system – lawyers, judges, witnesses, etc. – act in court?

· If you were the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court, would you continue the current ban on cameras in the federal courtrooms – or would you allow them?

MOST IMPORTANTLY:

· In your opinion, what are the most compelling reasons to allow TV cameras into courtrooms?

· In your opinion, what are the most compelling reasons NOT to allow TV cameras into courtrooms?

In drafting your memo, make absolutely sure you respond to all the 10 “bullet points” listed above. Your memo does not have to be a set number of pages, but it absolutely must adequately respond to all the bullet points.

DEADLINE IS 10/21/2021 (Night of last class meeting)

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