Hernando County- Media Coverage and Procedures

Media representatives should seek clearance for camera access to court proceedings at least 24 hours in advance by completing the online request form. Security personnel will only allow authorized media outlets to bring in cameras and equipment.

Set-up and breakdown of equipment must be done during breaks or after court has concluded

There is no photography or recording anywhere in a court facility other than the designated courtroom for the proceeding.

Interviews must take place outside.

Pooling arrangements shall be the sole responsibility of the media.  Once the media outlets have designated the pool representative (whether for the entire trial or on a day to day basis) they must notify the Court Operations Manager of the pool assignment schedule.

All media personnel covering court proceedings should have read and understood the content of Rule 2.450 (Technological Coverage of Judicial Proceedings) and 2.451 (Use of Electronic Devices) of the Rules of Judicial Administration.

Courtrooms H,I,J,K (Courtrooms D and E will be upgraded in 2026) contain a media plate which ties to the outside pedestal. BNC Connectors for SDI video for the room system and to patch through your video. There is audio for the room system and patch through using XLR connections.

The video camera in the courtroom must be mounted and operated from a tripod. The still camera can be handheld, however, neither the video nor still photographer is permitted to move about in the courtroom during the proceedings, nor engage in any movement or conversation that attracts undue attention. The video camera can only be installed or removed from the courtroom when the Court is not in session.

The media pedestal is on the East side of Courthouse in the grassy area between the driveway and the parking lot.

Requests to obtain the video feed should be submitted online at least 24 hours ahead of time to ensure that we have adequate time to provide the Fiber adapters that will be required to receive audio and video from pedestal.

The media pedestal contains fiber optic connections that will require conversion to sdi for video, as well as conversion to line level audio via xlr connector. (We will provide 1 set of converters for each required courtroom.) Each fiber converter has two BNC Connectors to capture video from our room video system and your video equipment in the courtroom. In addition, there is XLR for room audio and patch through.

*Important to Note* Audio is line level out (not mic out)

A pool camera must be connected to the media panel inside the courtroom in order for the video feed to be transmitted to the media pedestal outside.  Media outlets wishing to access the courtroom feed should coordinate with the designated pool camera to ensure proper set up.

Please arrive early enough to complete set up and testing before the start of the proceedings.