Rule 180

LOCAL RULES - SUPERIOR COURT of CALIFORNIA, COUNTY of ORANGE

Chapter 4

Media

Rule180. Photographing, Recording and Broadcasting in Court

These procedures have been developed for the protection of all parties to ensure the secure and efficient handling of cases and events in all Superior Court, County of Orange, Justice Centers. No filming, photography or electronic recording is permitted in the justice centers except as permitted in the courtroom consistent with rule 1.150, California Rules of Court, and this rule. Violation of California Rule of Court rule 1.150 or this rule may result in termination of media coverage, contempt of court proceedings, or monetary sanctions as provided by law.

A. Requests for Coverage Requests for any type of video, still photography or audio coverage, including pool cameras, must be made in compliance with rule 1.150(e)(1), California Rules of Court, and submitted to the judicial officer assigned to hear the case on Judicial Council forms MC-500 "Media Request to Photograph, Record or Broadcast" and MC-510 "Order on Media Request to Permit Coverage." A copy of the request also must be submitted to the Court's Public Information Office.

B. Limitation on Coverage The following limitations apply, unless an exception is permitted by written judicial order or as permitted by paragraph E.

• 1. Videotaping, photographing, or electronic recording by the media and general public is not permitted in any part of the Court, including, but not limited to lobby areas, cafeterias, halls, stairs, escalators, and elevators.
• 2. Videotaping, photographing or electronic recording devices must be turned off while transporting them in any area of the Court.
• 3. All audible electronic devices must be turned off when they are in courtrooms.
• 4. Any photography of the interior of a courtroom through glass door windows or from the area between the double doors is prohibited.
• 5. When audio and/or video recording is not permitted by the judge assigned to hear the case, electronic recording devices may be taken into the courtroom only if they are not turned on and remain inside an enclosed case, bag, or other containers, unless otherwise specifically prohibited by the judicial officer assigned to hear the case.
• 6. Special policy for Lamoreaux Justice Center: Notwithstanding the above, at Lamoreaux Justice Center advance authorization by a judicial officer is required for requests to bring cameras or any recording device into the building.

C. Prohibited Coverage as Identified in California Rules of Court (rule 1.150(e)(6))

• 1. A proceeding closed to the public (e.g., juvenile cases)
• 2. Jurors or spectators
• 3. Jury selection
• 4. A conference between an attorney and a client, witness, or aide
• 5. A conference between attorneys
• 6. A conference between counsel and the judge at the bench ("sidebars")
• 7. A proceeding held in chambers

D. Parking Limitations for Media Transmission Vehicles
No media vehicles may be parked illegally anywhere on the courthouse environs.
If at any time any vehicle is parked illegally, the order permitting photographic and electronic coverage may be revoked, in regard to the operator of that vehicle, without any further hearing.

E. Areas in Court Facilities where Media Activities are Authorized Photos, news conferences and on-camera statements to members of the media and general public are allowed only in areas specified for that purpose. Requests for exceptions must be made to the Court's public information office and receive approval from the Presiding Judge:

• 1. Central Justice Center - 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana Northeast corner of the second floor, lobby area near the front windows and escalators
• 2. Central Justice Center - 909 North Main Street, Santa Ana Lobby area outside courtrooms
• 3 Complex Civil Litigation Facility - 751 W. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana Northwest corner of the building, outside CX101
• 4. Harbor Justice Center - Newport Beach Facility - 4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach across from Room 108 on the first floor, near the glass doors in the center of the building
• 5. Harbor Justice Center - Laguna Niguel Facility - 30143 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel In the main entrance lobby
• 6. Lamoreaux Justice Center - 341 The City Drive, Orange Due to the privacy concerns and confidential nature of juvenile matters, the front quad exterior of the building has been designated for media interviews. Advance authorization by the Juvenile Court Presiding Judge or the Family Law Probate Court Supervising Judge is needed for requests to bring cameras into the courthouse, and broadcast media must check in with court security at the building entrance.
• 7. North Justice Center - 1275 North Berkeley, Fullerton Exterior steps of main entrance, Central Wing (during inclement weather, use the area across from Dept. 9 at the top of the stairs)
• 8. West Justice Center - 8141 13th Street, Westminster The main lobby in the front of the building

F. Non-case Related Requests to Film in Court Facilities
Special requests for filming courtrooms, jury rooms or employee work areas must be made in writing and shall be made through the Court's Public Information Office before the proposed filming or photographing is to occur. The request should include the amount of time needed to complete the assignment.

G. Definitions "Media coverage" means any photographing, recording, or broadcasting of court proceedings by the media using television, radio, photographic or recording equipment.

"Media" means any person or organization engaging in news gathering or reporting and includes any newspaper, radio or television station or network, news service, magazine, trade paper, in-house publication, professional journal, other news-reporting or news-gathering agency.

Rule 1.150(b)(2), California Rules of Court
"Court" means the courtroom at issue, the courthouse, and its entrances and exits.
Rule 1.150(b)(3), California Rules of Court
"Judge" means the judicial officer or officers assigned to or presiding at the proceeding.
Rule 1.150(b)(4), California Rules of Court
(Adopted effective January 1, 2004; revised eff. July 1, 2006; revised eff. January 1, 2007)