Professor Nancy Marder was featured prominently in a letter to the editor in September 12th’s Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. In reponse to an August 21st press conference regarding Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evan’s endorsement to allow cameras in Cook County trial courtrooms, retired circuit judge Dennis Dohm cited a new article by Marder as essential in understanding the possible consequences of such a measure. The Chief Judge’s endorsement came after a landmark decision in January by the Illinois Supreme Court to begin experimenting with cameras in Illinois courtrooms.
Marder’s article, “The Conundrum of Cameras in the Courtroom” (forthcoming in the Arizona State Law Journal), cautions federal judges on the use of cameras in the courtroom. Marder advocates that incremental steps be taken toward courtroom accessibility–steps like posting transcipts and audio recordings of court proceedings online–before cameras are admitted into the courtroom. She reminds the reader that courtroom changes should be made only with “great care and deliberation,” since even the smallest changes have the ability to come between the court and it’s primary commitment to do justice.
Dohm called Marder’s article “scholarly yet pragmatic” and concurred with its thesis. Despite the opposition from Dohm and others, cameras made their first appearance in Chicago federal court history in late August.
To read Professor Marder’s article on SSRN, click here.
To read more recent news about cameras in Illinois courtrooms, check out these stories:
Cook County chief judge says he hopes to launch courtroom-camera project by this year
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