Senate panel OKs cameras in court measure
Posted: Saturday, January 26, 2008
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- South Dakota's judicial system should be allowed to decide whether to let cameras into trial-level courtrooms, a state Senate committee recommended Friday.
The state Supreme Court has allowed electronic recording equipment and television and still cameras to cover its oral arguments in appeals cases since 2001, but cameras and sound recorders have not been allowed in circuit courts, the trial level of the judicial system.
SB77 would repeal an existing law that prohibits radio and television broadcasting and the taking of photographs in circuit courts.
The bill would leave it up to the judicial system to decide whether cameras and other recording devices are allowed in circuit court proceedings.
The bill's main sponsor, Senate Republican Leader Dave Knudson, said the bill was introduced after he and Senate Democratic Leader Scott Heidepriem discussed the issue with people from news organizations, including The Associated Press. Knudson and Heidepriem are both Sioux Falls lawyers.
Dave Bordewyk, general manager of the South Dakota Newspaper Association, said all states allow some level of electronic recording in at least some courtrooms. South Dakota is one of 15 states that currently only allow cameras at the appellate court level, he said.
In the seven years since the South Dakota Supreme Court began allowing cameras in its appeals hearings, the process has worked well, Bordewyk said.
Jennifer Ring, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of the Dakotas, said broadcasts of court proceedings help people understand how the justice system works and realize that it is fair.
No one spoke against the bill.
The Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the full Senate for further debate.
The state Supreme Court has allowed electronic recording equipment and television and still cameras to cover its oral arguments in appeals cases since 2001, but cameras and sound recorders have not been allowed in circuit courts, the trial level of the judicial system.
SB77 would repeal an existing law that prohibits radio and television broadcasting and the taking of photographs in circuit courts.
The bill would leave it up to the judicial system to decide whether cameras and other recording devices are allowed in circuit court proceedings.
The bill's main sponsor, Senate Republican Leader Dave Knudson, said the bill was introduced after he and Senate Democratic Leader Scott Heidepriem discussed the issue with people from news organizations, including The Associated Press. Knudson and Heidepriem are both Sioux Falls lawyers.
Dave Bordewyk, general manager of the South Dakota Newspaper Association, said all states allow some level of electronic recording in at least some courtrooms. South Dakota is one of 15 states that currently only allow cameras at the appellate court level, he said.
In the seven years since the South Dakota Supreme Court began allowing cameras in its appeals hearings, the process has worked well, Bordewyk said.
Jennifer Ring, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of the Dakotas, said broadcasts of court proceedings help people understand how the justice system works and realize that it is fair.
No one spoke against the bill.
The Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to send the bill to the full Senate for further debate.
Story Comments
Read More and Post Comments 0 comment(s)
Please note: The following are comments from readers. In no way do they represent the views of The Sioux City Journal or Lee Enterprises. We will not edit or alter your comments, but we do reserve the right to not post or to remove comments that violate our code of conduct. No comment may contain potentially libelous statements; obscene, explicit or racist language; personal attacks, insults or threats. Terms of Service
