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Rule 1.10. Media Information

Oklahoma Statutes AnnotatedLocal District Court RulesEffective: March 15, 2024

Oklahoma Statutes Annotated
Local District Court Rules
Rules of the Eighteenth Judicial District [Mcintosh and Pittsburg Counties]
Chapter I. General
Effective: March 15, 2024
Eighteenth Judicial District Court Rule 1.10
Rule 1.10. Media Information
Currentness
It is the duty of all members of the Bar to affirmatively protect litigants' rights to a fair trial. It is professionally irresponsible and shows a disrespect to the administration of justice to willfully prosecute or defend any matter in the newspapers or other media, where the integrity of any pending or future suit or action may be jeopardized.
Attorneys are admonished to observe the spirit as well as the letter of this rule.
In conformity with the practice that has prevailed in the District Courts, the following rules governing the taking of photographs, the recording, broadcasting and televising of judicial proceedings in the Courthouse of Pittsburg County, Oklahoma, are hereby promulgated:
1. Except as expressly permitted by the individual Judge, the use of cameras, television and other recording or broadcasting equipment is prohibited:
a. Inside a courtroom
b. In the immediate vicinity of a courtroom, including the hallways.
2. The use of cameras, television, recording and broadcasting equipment is not prohibited in other areas of the Courthouse, provided that media representatives exercise diligence to insure that such equipment and its use do not interfere with the session of any proceeding being covered or with any proceeding in a courtroom adjacent to the proceeding being covered.
3. Notwithstanding these rules, the Presiding Judge or an individual Judge may promulgate specific rules governing the use of cameras, television, recording or broadcasting equipment to remain in force and effect for any specific proceeding or event.
The purpose of this directive is to insure that courtroom proceedings are conducted at all times with dignity and in a manner calculated to avoid the disruption of order and decorum which the judicial process demands.
It should be emphasized that the representatives of the news media are expected to conduct themselves at all times in a professional manner consistent with the spirit and intent of this directive. In order to insure such conduct, if conduct of the news media which is violative of the foregoing rules is brought to the attention of any Judge, the offending personal shall be notified immediately to cease and desist such activity. If the offending party refuses to comply with the order, then the Judge may immediately command his or her personnel to take affirmative action to end such activity, including the seizure of the equipment of such person. Any offender may be dealt with for contempt of Court.
This directive does not prohibit any Judge from giving photographic or broadcasting interviews with any television or radio station or to be photographed in any manner in chambers, and any Judge may permit broadcasting, televising, recording or photographing of investigative, ceremonial or naturalization proceedings or any moot court trial use for educational or scientific purposes.

Credits

Formerly Rule 1.9, adopted effective November 1, 1989. Amended effective October 6, 2006. Renumbered Rule 1.10, amended effective March 15, 2017. Amended effective March 15, 2024.
Eighteenth Judicial District Court Rule 1.10, OK R 18 DIST CT Rule 1.10
Current with amendments received through April 15, 2024. Some rules may be more current, see credits for details.
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