senate Bill S. 643
Cameras in the Court: Should Federal Court Proceedings be Broadcast?
Argument in favor
Allowing the broadcast of proceedings in federal courts would increase knowledge and interest in the judicial process. A more transparent courtroom guarantees the right to a public trial.
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07/03/2018
Our judicial system should be an open book. Transparency of our legal system can only ensure a better democratic process.
07/03/2018
I am in favor of the truth and transparency in the american justice systom
07/03/2018
I support having cameras in the courtroom at the Federal level. These cases are cases that have already brought about public opinion and curiosity. If anyone wishes to sit and watch it, like those of us who sit and watch proceedings within Congressional Committees on CSPAN, then it should be encouraged to have courtrooms at the Federal level with cameras. This also allows students who are going for law degrees to witness a Federal court ruling or interaction without the need for driving to one. This ALSO encourages a better understanding of our Judicial system, as well as, the awareness of how the Constitutional Republic functions with the influence of democracy. It is all for the better. If someone wants to show off for the cameras, so be it.
Argument opposed
Bringing cameras into courtrooms could affect the way that witnesses, judges, jurors, and prosecutors behave. It could publicly expose or endanger vulnerable witnesses and jurors.-
07/03/2018
I have very mixed feelings on this. There are pros and cons. My hope would be that more people would become involved in the judicial system and that people in the position of power will be forced to behave honorably under the watchful eye of society. That said, it could easily turn into a 3 ring circus where federal court cases become the new reality tv. If our lawyers and judges start preening and postulating for the cameras, fame and viewers could become their purpose. I think I have to vote No on this one.
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07/03/2018
Remember the OJ trial was televised and how they all played to the camera? A court room is a place for justice, not reality TV.
07/03/2018
10 years ago I would have supported this for transparency. But with all the posturing and trying harder to play to (and manipulate) the masses, I think this would ultimately become a distraction. It’s bad enough the court of public opinion is able to ravage a person’s life as it is with the help of Big Brother media and Little Snitch camera phone operators. Now is not the time to make a spectacle out of our already-floundering justice system.
Our judicial system should be an open book. Transparency of our legal system can only ensure a better democratic process.
I have very mixed feelings on this. There are pros and cons. My hope would be that more people would become involved in the judicial system and that people in the position of power will be forced to behave honorably under the watchful eye of society. That said, it could easily turn into a 3 ring circus where federal court cases become the new reality tv. If our lawyers and judges start preening and postulating for the cameras, fame and viewers could become their purpose. I think I have to vote No on this one.
Remember the OJ trial was televised and how they all played to the camera? A court room is a place for justice, not reality TV.
I am in favor of the truth and transparency in the american justice systom
I support having cameras in the courtroom at the Federal level. These cases are cases that have already brought about public opinion and curiosity. If anyone wishes to sit and watch it, like those of us who sit and watch proceedings within Congressional Committees on CSPAN, then it should be encouraged to have courtrooms at the Federal level with cameras. This also allows students who are going for law degrees to witness a Federal court ruling or interaction without the need for driving to one. This ALSO encourages a better understanding of our Judicial system, as well as, the awareness of how the Constitutional Republic functions with the influence of democracy. It is all for the better. If someone wants to show off for the cameras, so be it.
10 years ago I would have supported this for transparency. But with all the posturing and trying harder to play to (and manipulate) the masses, I think this would ultimately become a distraction. It’s bad enough the court of public opinion is able to ravage a person’s life as it is with the help of Big Brother media and Little Snitch camera phone operators. Now is not the time to make a spectacle out of our already-floundering justice system.
Though it may have the potential to become another tool of manipulation, it is still in the best interests of democracy to allow the public access to federal courts
Court proceedings should always be private. The person’s innocence should always be at the forefront, even today in the ear of governmental corruption by Trump’s Bunch. If an innocent person is tried & the information in the trial could divide the public who don’t get ALL THE EVIDENCE and will not have a real understanding of that court process.
No. This is ridiculous. I can see no reason to turn our courts into a reality TV show.
We have more important things to spend our money on right now. Put the money back in medicaid. Audit US police departments for White Nationalist moles. Deregulate and decriminalize pot. Shut down profit slave camps in the US. ALL these things are more important than cameras in courtrooms
I have been stunned to witness every -ism displayed on Courts. With public exposure many would be apt to reign in their darker sides and think about what they are doing. Not all—but many.
Really? People want to turn our department of justice into a judge Judy reality show? NO! Just No. The transcripts we already get are fine and if people want to watch a real courtroom they can go sit in court. There’s open audience seating there. There is no need for this. That branch is already transparent. Work on transparency in Congress and in campaign financing. That needs it a heck of a lot more.
This bill invites grandstanding and showmanship on the part of attorneys for the defense and prosecution. Some will see this as an opportunity to advance their careers. An individual’s rights to adequate representation and privacy are also issues that are not addressed satisfactorily. The Soviets and other authoritarian governments conducted “show trials.” Are we going to be the same? This bill is wrong in many ways.
Cameras in the Courtroom ensures transparency of issues and allows independent opinions of the general public.
Without cameras at least its being judged in quasi fair surroundings. Allow the cameras in and you turn it into a lynch mob and trial by public opinion regardless the facts.
Transparency is paramount. If you don’t believe that watch this bill fail.
After watching Congressional hearings, I wanted to know what, whe,
