The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court announced a major proposal to update the state’s “Cameras in the Courtroom” statute, SJC Rule 1:19, to fit modern-day journalistic and technological realities. In a nutshell, it gives registered journalists the ability to use their computers and smartphones from the court, for coverage and for transmission. Yes to Twittering, Facebooking, and blogging. And it expands the definition of the media to include bloggers. The proposal to change Rule 1:19 is open to public comment until Jan. 28, 2011. You can let the courts know how you feel about the proposed rule by going here.

We went to the Supreme Judicial Court this week to meet with Joan Kenney of the Public Information Office to talk about Rule 1:19 and about the all-court meeting. We bumped into Justice Robert Cordy, who it appears is a major supporter of our project, and had an amazing surprise tour of the John Adams Courthouse. The renovated courthouse was just as a courthouse should be: frescos painted on vaulted ceilings so high it hurt your neck to look at them, life-sized allegorical statues of Justice, Prudence and Guilt (among others), arches and balustrades galore. We saw the original bench over which Oliver Wendell Holmes presided as the Chief Justice before he traipsed off to be a Supreme Court Justice. Much as I love our modest Quincy District Court, there was something about the silence of stepping onto the plush carpeting of the Supreme Judicial Court courtroom that gave me goosebumps. I felt the power!

One Response to “NEW ‘Cameras in the Courtroom’ statute in Massachusetts”

1. Mark Anthony says:

   May 3, 2011 at 5:57 am

   I think it is a great thing that there is cameras in the courtroom. Everyone should know how the system works.