STATE OF IDAHO JUDICIAL BRANCH
Supreme Court

Rule 46a.  Cameras in the Supreme Court courtroom.

Media coverage of public hearings and appeals before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals in the Supreme Court courtroom in Boise are subject to the following guidelines:

(a) AUTHORIZATION. Approval to video record or photograph a Supreme Court or Court of Appeals proceeding must be obtained at least one business day in advance of the hearing. Permission must be obtained from the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for Idaho Supreme Court proceedings, or the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for Idaho Court of Appeals proceedings, and will be limited to those approved by the respective Court. The request for approval to video record or photograph a court proceeding and order granting or denying such request should be in substantially the form approved by the Administrative Director of Courts.

(l) The above does not apply to the live broadcast of all Supreme Court proceedings provided on an ongoing basis by ldaho Public Television/ldaho In Session. These broadcasts and recordings are deemed approved in advance through adoption of this rule.

(2) As to requests for live coverage of a Supreme Court proceeding, preference will be given to restricting coverage to the Idaho Public Television broadcast, and ldaho Public Television will provide a video and audio feed to other media.

(b) RECORDING. Any recordings or broadcasts must originate from the audio system provided by the Court. No separate mikes will be allowed to be set up in the courtroom. The Court will provide a series of balanced line outlets for use with standard connections to connect to television cameras, radio broadcasting devices and recorders. In the event of demand greater than the outlets provided, media representatives will make pooling arrangements among themselves. No taping or recording of conversations between co-counsel or counsel and client is allowed.

(c) OFFICIAL RECORD OF PROCEEDING. The recording machine operated by the Clerk is the only official record of the appeal hearing, and no party shall cite in any court or administrative agency proceeding any other recording of the Supreme Court or Court of Appeals hearings.

(d) MOVEMENT IN COURTROOM. Media representatives are allowed to cover the proceedings from the couftroom floor as long as they remain in the area reserved for the general public and as long as they do not excessively move around the courtroom or assume body positions inappropriate to a courtroom proceeding or otherwise distract from the appellate proceedings.

(e) LIAISON. The Administrative Director of the Courts andlor the Clerk of the Supreme Court, working through the Court Communications Manager, shall maintain communication and liaison with media representatives so as to ensure smooth working relationships and to provide any suggestions to improve these guidelines.

(f) INCORPORATION OF ICAR 45. This rule hereby incorporates all guidelines on equipment, dress, pooling, limits on coverage, and other matters in Idaho Court Administrative Rule 45 that are relevant to appellate proceedings. In cases of conflict, this rule prevails for proceedings held within the Supreme Court courtroom. References to "presiding judge" in ICAR 45 will here mean the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for Idaho Supreme Court proceedings, or the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals for ldaho Court of Appeals proceedings.

Camera forms: Word | PDF

(Adopted August 8, 2008, effective August 8, 2008. effective January 1, 2010; amended January 6, 2023, effective January 9, 2023.)