2.17 PHOTOGRAPHING, RECORDING AND BROADCASTING IN COURT

(a) Definitions. This rule adopts the definitions contained in California Rules of Court, rule

1.150(b), except as follows:

1) The term “media coverage” means any photographing, recording or broadcasting

in court by the media;

2) The term “court” means any courtroom or courthouse in the County where the

court conducts business, including all entrances, exits, hallways, escalators, elevators, and adjacent

or subterranean court parking areas. It does not include the offices in any courthouse occupied by

independent agencies such as the County of Los Angeles, including the Offices of the District

Attorney and the Public Defender;

3) The term “designated media area” means any area so designated by the Presiding

Judge, supervising judge, or site judge.

(b) Court Order Required. While in court, no one may engage in photographing, recording,

or broadcasting, or activate any camera, microphone, recorder or broadcasting device, except:

1) in a courtroom where the judge has issued an order allowing media coverage under

California Rules of Court, rule 1.150 and Local Rule 2.17(d), or expressly granted permission, under

California Rules of Court, rule 1.150(d) or otherwise, to photograph, record, and/or broadcast; or

2) outside the courtroom, if it is: i) in a designated media area, or ii) with prior written

permission from the Presiding Judge, supervising judge, or site judge. No one may carry any

camera, microphone, or recording equipment, or activate the image or sound capturing feature of any

computer, mobile telephone, watch or other similar equipment in a courtroom without express

written permission from the appropriate judicial officer.

SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Page 36 of 225

LOCAL RULES - Effective July 1, 2011

(c) No Obstruction of Public Access. Persons engaged in photographing, recording and

broadcasting must not obstruct pedestrian traffic, create traffic congestion or otherwise impede

access to court proceedings, offices, services or facilities.

(d) Written Media Requests Required. Persons requesting media coverage of any type,

including pool cameras, must complete and submit for judicial approval Judicial Council form

MC-500, specifying: i) the time estimate for coverage; ii) the proposed placement of cameras,

microphones and other equipment; and iii) whether the coverage will be disseminated live or

recorded for future dissemination.

(e) Submission of Media Requests to Public Information Office. Before filing Judicial

Council Forms MC-500 and MC-510 in court or submitting them to any judge, persons requesting

media coverage must deliver or electronically submit originals or copies to the Public Information

Office, Stanley Mosk Courthouse, 111 N. Hill St., Room 107A, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (Fax:

213-621-7642; Telephone: 213-974-5227).

(f) Responsibility for Compliance with Rules. Media (as defined in California Rules of

Court, rule 1.150(b)(2)), and any other person seeking to photograph, record or broadcast in court

must be familiar with, and comply with this rule and the California Rules of Court, rule 1.150.

(g) No Restriction On Judicial Discretion. This rule does not restrict a judge’s discretion to

regulate sound or image capturing, photographing, recording or broadcasting in his or her courtroom.

(Rule 2.17 new and effective July 1, 2011)