MN looking into broader remote coverage of courts

–

Update 5:00 PM

Minnesota’s court system could allow expanded camera coverage of criminal proceedings following the trial of a former Minneapolis police officer in George Floyd’s death.

Chief Justice Lorie Gildea says it’s time to consider amending the current rules to accommodate broader public access.

Gildea’s order doesn’t specifically cite Derek Chauvin’s trial, which was Minnesota’s first criminal case in which TV coverage was allowed from jury selection through the verdict.

Chauvin’s sentencing on Friday will also be televised.

University of Minnesota media law expert Jane Kirtley says Gildea’s order is a good sign that the state court system will open up more proceedings to cameras and livestreaming technology.

= =

Original story:

The state of Minnesota is looking into expanding remote coverage of court proceedings, after a test run of sorts during the COVID-19 pandemic. In asking a committee to study the issue, the state Supreme Court noted Thursday that remote technology and livestreaming in the last year “provided increased transparency and accessibility at a time when physical access to court facilities was limited” because of the coronavirus. Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea says the time is right to consider broader access to proceedings. The rules on audio and video coverage were last updated in 2018.