Are the press allowed into

[PaulSabin]

a magistrates courtroom? I'm nervous enough with the magistrates without extra eyes, even though they have been reporting my story with a biased view in my direction.

[Ethel]

Yes they are, unless there are special reasons why they shouldn't be.

If no children are involved in the case, then usually they are allowed to be there, as can any member of the public.

[O'Reilly]

But you don't say what your story is! It depends on the magistrate and circumstances. My friend had a unique court case and he was warned it would be news - when he was due to be called the magistrate decided to hold the case "in camera" and the press and public were removed from the courtroom.

[jno]

justice should be administered in public, so normally yes. Judges in general have no business keeping out the public or press, unless there's some extremely good reason for doing so.

[PaulSabin]

Thanks.