Filming In Court

[nailit]

If uk courtrooms are supposed to be open...justice seen to be done...why is filming in them prohibited, even if its your own case been heard?
Thanks

[rockyracoon]

If I was on a jury, I wouldn't be best pleased to be on camera.

[nailit]

Your on camera everywhere around the city anyway. But what about magistrates court then? This guy tried to take a camera in court

[rockyracoon]

Walking around the city minding my own business is one thing, but, being seen to convict a dangerous criminal is another. Not for me, no.

[nailit]

If you watch the vid, its simply a man wishing to film his own case (no jury)

[janzman]

I have wondered in this day and age why courts use an artist rather than photographer.

[EDDIE51]

Some information here, I am not sure this has actually happened yet
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/ban-on-filming-in-british-courts-to-be-lifted-7593582.html

[nailit]

Thanks for link EDDIE, just seems strange that we are *supposed* to have open justice and yet you are not allowed to film your own case (as per the video)

[RATTER15]

janzman "I have wondered in this day and age why courts use an artist rather than photographer."

I dont think they do, I think you are confused between court records and press sketches.

[Peter Pedant]

the arteests are not allowed to sketch in court
and have to do it from memory outside
[ an american import ( arteest that is) expressed incredulity when he was 'caught' sketching inside the court room]

the current doyenne is Quetzler

there is on the internet - a photo of Crippen in the dock 1910
and Avory wearing his black cap ( 1922 )

I think the last led to the ban on photography and is the only section still in force of the relevant Contempt of Court Act ( 1926 I think )

well you did ask Nailit
and yes the Brexit hearing at the Supreme Court is gonna be televised from monday - judges are mature enough to survive the glow of the krieg lamps altho read above the jurors may not be.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawley_Harvey_Crippen

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_cap

[Bucknill apparently]

[New Judge]

Justice is open. Anybody can attend courts hearing most adult criminal cases in the UK as well as the majority of civil proceedings. The reason that uncontrolled filming, photographing or sound recording is not allowed is that those places are not places of entertainment for the proceedings to be recorded and played back at leisure. Furthermore, there is a considerable personal security risk to jurors, magistrates and witnesses should they be recorded and so be identifiable. (This is especially true for jurors and witnesses). The limited broadcasting of proceedings that has been allowed recently is extremely restricted and is carried out under strict guidelines.

With the advent of “social media” this is even more important as people exhibit remarkable stupidity and simply cannot be relied upon to be discreet in just about any and every aspect of lives. They believe their indiscretions should extend to everybody and everything else. Allow uncontrolled filming in court and within minutes some berk will post the results of Twitface or Facetube or whatever inane medium they choose. And as I said, courts are not circuses.

[EDDIE51]

Well said New Judge!

[Peter Pedant]

// And as I said, courts are not circuses.//

Nailo - both you and I know that the courts ARE circuses
and that it would be in the public interest to see what they get up to....

but you know really that will never happen

Still - as I said the Brexit hearings are said to be in public starting on Monday

[New Judge]

"...and that it would be in the public interest to see what they get up to...."

Then you can both go and have a look. There are Magistrates' Courts and Crown Courts all over the country.