Courtroom videos are recordings of court proceedings, but not all courts allow them. They can be used for internal records or by the media, but judges can limit their use and sometimes prohibit them altogether. Members of the public may be barred from recording devices in court.
A courtroom video is a video recording of proceedings in a courtroom, usually accompanied by an audio track. Recording of this type is not permitted in all courtrooms, and in courts where it is permitted, it may be restricted for security and other reasons.
Some courts use courtroom video as a form of internal recording. A courtroom recorder is still present to void proceedings, but a video can be used to create another form of record that will show what happened in court. In case there is dispute about what happened in court, it can be helpful to have multiple records to show the events. Domestic court videos are stored in a secure area of a courthouse or in a separate facility and are not intended for use by the general public.
Members of the media can make courtroom videos although they are required to submit a request before court opens. Courts limit the types of proceedings that can be registered, and a judge can choose to expel members of the media. Courtroom videos of this type can be used to report on events happening in court, and sometimes trials are broadcast because the public interest is high. Since it would not be possible for everyone interested in such cases to attend the courtroom, the video of the courtroom provides a method to access the event.
In many countries, judges have the power to authorize a court and to hold closed proceedings. Video in court is usually not allowed in these proceedings. Similarly, judges who hold hearings in their chambers can deny access to the media. When a jury is removed from a room while the judge and attorneys are discussing a point of order or challenging evidence, the judge may also order the recording to be stopped. Recordings are also disallowed if the judge fears they might jeopardize the trial or endanger someone involved in a trial, such as a confidential witness.
Archives of classroom video are generally available through media outlets and organizations that collect and archive video content. In cases where photography and recording are not permitted, members of the media can use tools such as courtroom sketches and notes they take during the court proceedings to report on the trial and bring events to life for the public.
Members of the public may be barred from bringing recording devices into court, depending on the court and the proceeding. It is advisable to contact the bailiff in advance if there are any questions about the registration.
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