Lake County – Media Coverage
Policies and Procedures
Contact:
Brandon Roberts, Lake County Court Operations Manager
Email: broberts@circuit5.org | Phone: (352) 742-3814
The media plays an important role in ensuring the justice system is open and accessible to our citizens. It is our goal to accommodate attendance by the media and the public to the best of the court’s abilities, while protecting the integrity and decorum of court proceedings and the rights of parties to fair hearings and the due process of law.
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 from a designated media room or courtroom.
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.
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.