Article Abstract:
The Vermont Supreme Court has ruled that before pretrial hearings can be closed to the press and the public the trial court must consider other alternatives to closure in order to protect not only the constitutional rights of the press but also those of the defendant. The court stated that the closure was unjustified because the trial court had only feared that publicity would make it hard to form an impartial jury for a murder defendant, instead of considering change of venue or more extensive questioning of potential jurors.
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Article Abstract:
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, in George W. Prescott Publishing Co. v. District Court, ruled that a Quincy, MA, newspaper should have access to a juvenile court trial involving adults. The Patriot Ledger sought access to Robert and Andrea Berkowitz's trial for serving alcohol to their son and other minors. The Court ruled the denial of access was an unconstitutional prior restraint on free press rights.
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Article Abstract:
The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a federal district judge's decision to seal transcripts of a post-trial hearing related to alleged fraud committed by former Arizona governor Fife Symington. The district judge sealed the transcripts for security measures. The panel held the transcripts should be released to maintain the appearance of judicial integrity.
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