23.1 Electronic media and still photograph coverage of public judicial proceedings shall be subject to the mandatory provisions of Rule 15 of the General Rules of Practice for the Superior and District Courts. To the extent that Rule 15 grants authority or discretion to the presiding judge, the presiding Superior Court Judge shall have such authority or discretion with respect to the proceedings over which he/she presides, including, without limitation, the authority to prohibit or terminate electronic media and still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings at any time. No electronic or still photography coverage of public judicial proceedings shall be permitted without the prior express approval of the presiding Superior Court Judge. Representatives shall seek such approval well in advance of the proceedings to avoid impromptu "negotiations" between judges and other court officials and media representatives, and in no event shall such representatives seek prior approval less than 24 hours in advance of a scheduled hearing. As provided in Rule 15, and to insure that a clear warning has been issued by the Court, all representatives of the media are hereby notified that coverage of the following types of Superior Court judicial proceedings is expressly prohibited: proceedings held before clerks of court, proceedings held before magistrates, proceedings for the hearing of motions to suppress evidence, proceedings involving trade secrets, and in camera proceedings. As further provided in said Rule, and to insure that a clear warning has been issued by the Court, all representatives of the media are hereby notified that coverage of the following categories of witnesses in Superior Court judicial proceedings is expressly prohibited: police informants, minors, undercover agents, relocated witnesses and victims and families of victims of sex crimes. As further provided in said Rule, and to insure that a clear warning has been issued by the Court, all representatives of the media are hereby notified that coverage of jurors is prohibited expressly at any stage of a judicial proceeding, including that portion of a proceeding during which a jury is selected. The use of cell phone cameras is also strictly prohibited. Any person(s) found to be in willful violation of the provisions of this Rule 23.1 may be held in contempt of court and may be jailed for up to 30 days, fined up to $500.00, or both, for each occurrence. Additional criminal and/or civil penalties may also be applicable. This media coverage policy shall apply to both Civil and Criminal cases.N.C. R. Prac. Sup. & Dist. Ct. Civ. P. 23
Adopted May 30, 2023, effective 5/30/2023.