Rule 4.03 - Procedures Relating to Requests for Visual and Audio Coverage of Authorized District Court Civil ProceedingsThe following procedures apply to visual and audio and video coverage of civil proceedings where authorized under Rule 4.02(c):
(a)Notice. Unless notice is waived by the trial judge, as far in advance as practicable, and at least 7 days before the commencement of the hearing or trial, the media shall provide written notice of their intent to cover authorized district court civil proceedings by either visual or audio or video means to the trial judge, , and to the court administrator, who shall promptly provide a copy of the notice to all counsel of record, and any parties appearing without counsel. The media shall also provide a copy of the written notice to the State Court Administrator's Court Information Office. The media shall also notify their respective media coordinator, identified as provided under part (e) of this rule, of the request to cover proceedings in advance of submitting the request to the trial judge, if possible, or as soon thereafter as possible.(b)Objections. If a party opposes visual or audio coverage, the party shall provide written notice of the party's objections to the presiding judge, the other parties, and the media requesting coverage as soon as practicable, and at least 72 hours before the commencement of the hearing or trial in cases where the media have given at least 7 days' notice of their intent to cover the proceedings. The media is not a party and is not entitled to file a written response to any objections. The judge shall rule on any objections and make a decision on visual or audio coverage before the commencement of the hearing or trial. However, the judge has the discretion to limit, terminate, or temporarily suspend visual or audio coverage of an entire case or portions of a case at any time.(c)Witness Information and Objection to Coverage. At or before the commencement of the hearing or trial in cases with visual or audio coverage, each party shall inform all witnesses the party plans to call that their testimony will be subject to visual or audio recording unless the witness objects in writing or on the record before testifying. This provision does not apply to victims giving a statement at a sentencing hearing, which is governed by Rule 4.02(e)(iv).(d)Appeals. No ruling of the trial judge relating to the implementation or management of visual or audio coverage under this rule shall be appealable until the trial has been completed, and then only by a party.(e)Media Coordinators. Media coordinators for various areas of the state shall be identified on the main state court web site. The media coordinators shall facilitate interaction between the courts and the media regarding visual or audio coverage of authorized district court civil proceedings. Responsibilities of the media coordinators include: (i) Compiling basic information (e.g., case identifiers, judge, parties, attorneys, dates and coverage duration) on all requests for use of visual or audio coverage of authorized civil trial court proceedings for their respective court location(s) as identified on the main state court web site, and making aggregate forms of the information publicly available;(ii) Explaining to persons requesting visual or audio coverage of civil trial court proceedings for their respective court location(s) the local practices, procedures, and logistical details of the court related to visual or audio coverage;(iii) Resolving all issues related to pooling of cameras and microphones related to visual or audio coverage of civil trial court proceedings for their respective court location(s).Adopted effective 7/1/2011; amended effective 12/3/2013; amended effective 9/1/2018; amended effective 1/1/2020.