2021 - Press Room - Louisiana Supreme Court

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<div class="col-md-4"><div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading"><div class="panel-title">Public Information</div></div><div class="panel-body" style="min-height:16rem;">Trina S. Vincent<br />Public Information Specialist/Coordinator<br />400 Royal Street, Suite 1190<br />New Orleans, LA 70130<br /><abbr title="Phone">P:</abbr> <span class="baec5a81-e4d6-4674-97f3-e9220f0136c1" style="white-space:nowrap;">(504) 310-2590<a href="#" style="margin:0px;border:currentColor;left:0px;top:0px;width:16px;height:16px;right:0px;bottom:0px;overflow:hidden;vertical-align:middle;float:none;display:inline;white-space:nowrap;position:static !important;" title="Call: (504) 310-2590"><img height="16" src="data:image/png;base64,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" style="margin:0px;border:currentColor;left:0px;top:0px;right:0px;bottom:0px;overflow:hidden;vertical-align:middle;float:none;display:inline;white-space:nowrap;position:static !important;" title="Call: (504) 310-2588" width="16" /></a>&nbsp;<br /><a href="mailto:tvincent@lasc.org">tvincent@lasc.org</a></span><br /><div style="line-height:10px;"><br /></div></div></div></div><div class="col-md-4"><div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading"><div class="panel-title">Publications</div></div><div class="panel-body" style="min-height:16rem;"><ul><li><a href="/AnnualReports">Annual Reports</a></li><li><a href="http://jaw.lasc.org" target="_blank">Justice At Work - The State of Judicial Performance in Louisiana</a></li><li><a href="/court_column">Court Column</a></li><li><a href="/Strategic_Plans">Strategic Plans</a></li><li><a href="/Bar_Exam_Results">Bar Exam Results</a></li></ul></div></div></div><div class="col-md-4"><div class="panel panel-primary"><div 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Press Release Year

Press Releases 2021


2021 - 37	Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Building Closure to Public Traffic Due to Rising Numbers of Omicron Variant Cases
2021 - 36	The Louisiana Supreme Court Appoints Retired Opelousas City Court Judge Vanessa Harris as Judge Pro Tempore of Lafayette City Court Division A
2021 - 35	24th Judicial District Court Judge Scott U. Schlegel Receives the William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence
2021 - 34	Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Amendments to Judicial Discipline Rules
2021 - 33	Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer Commends Louisiana Attorneys for their Pro Bono Efforts
2021 - 32	Appointment of a New Attorney Member to the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana
2021 - 31	Baton Rouge City Court Judge Yvette M. Alexander is Sworn in as President of the American Judges Association
2021 - 29	24th JDC Judge Scott Schlegel to Receive William H. Rehnquist Award
2021 - 30	The Louisiana Supreme Court Announces In-Person Oral Arguments for October Sitting Week
2021 - 28	Louisiana District Judges Association Elects New Officers
2021 - 27	The 69th Annual Red Mass is Observed
2021 - 26	Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Scott J. Crichton Observes Constitution Day 2021 at C.E. Byrd High School
2021 - 25	The Louisiana Supreme Court Issues Order Suspending Time Limitations in Six Parishes
2021 - 24	The Louisiana Supreme Court Issues Order Extending Filing Deadlines
2021 - 23	Chief Justice John L. Weimer Observes Constitution Day at Morgan City High School
2021 - 22	Louisiana Supreme Court Issues Order Extending Attorney Registration Compliance Deadline
2021 - 21	Louisiana Supreme Court Continues its Work during Aftermath of Hurricane Ida
2021 - 20	The Louisiana Supreme Court Issues Three Orders Following the Impact of Hurricane Ida
2021 - 19	The Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Closure Due to Hurricane Ida
2021 - 18	Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Observance of Juneteenth Holiday
2021 - 17	Translating the Louisiana Civil Code into Spanish: A Jurilinguistic Exercise
2021 - 16	Louisiana Supreme Court Appoints Veronica O. Koclanes Clerk of Court; First Female Clerk in Court’s 208-Year History
2021 - 15	Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer Presents Judges’ Education Initiative to Commission on Civic Education and to Area Judges
2021 - 14	The Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Amendments to Lawyer Advertising Rules
2021 - 13	Appointments to the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana
2021 - 12	The Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Method of Administration of July 2021 Bar Examination
2021 - 11	Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Piper Griffin Installs New Orleans Paralegal Association 2021 Board Members
2021 - 10	Louisiana Supreme Court Welcomes Tulane Law Students To View Oral Arguments
2021 - 9	Jury Moratorium to Expire March 31, 2021
2021 - 8	New Louisiana Child in Need Of Care Benchbook Published as a Resource for Juvenile Court Judges
2021 - 7	The Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Closure February 17, 2021
2021 - 6	Louisiana Supreme Court Extends Jury Trial Moratorium through March 31, 2021
2021 - 5	The Louisiana Supreme Court Announces Black History Month Educational Initiatives
2021 - 4	24th Judicial District Court Judge Scott Schlegel Recognized By the American Bar Association as a 2021 Legal Rebel
2021 - 3	BESE Leadership to be Sworn-in by Louisiana Chief Justice
2021 - 2	The Louisiana Supreme Court Issues a New Order Imposing Moratorium on Jury Trials Until March 1, 2021
2021 - 1	Louisiana Supreme Court Chief Justice John L. Weimer Takes the Oath of Office

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<div class="panel panel-primary"><div class="panel-heading"><div class="panel-title">Policy for Media</div></div><div class="panel-body"><p align="center"><strong>CANON 3A(9)<br />Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct </strong> </p><p>(9) Except as herein provided a judge shall prohibit broadcasting, televising, recording, or taking photographs in the courtroom and areas immediately adjacent thereto during sessions of court or recesses between sessions. <strong>[Amended effective February 27, 2019]</strong> </p><p style="margin-bottom:0;">A trial judge may authorize:<br /></p><blockquote style="margin-top:0;"><p style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;">(a) the use of cameras placed inside the courtroom for security purposes without audio;</p><p style="margin-top:0;"><br />(b) the use of electronic or photographic means for the presentation of evidence, for the perpetuation of a record for the court or for counsel, or for other purposes of judicial administration;<br /></p><p>(c) the broadcasting, televising, recording or photographing of investitive or ceremonial proceedings; <br /></p><p>(d) the photographic or electronic recording and reproduction of appropriate court proceedings under the following conditions:<br /></p><blockquote><p>(i) the means of recording will not distract participants or impair the dignity of the proceedings;<br /></p><p>(ii) the parties have consented, and the consent to being depicted or recorded has been obtained from each witness appearing in the recording and reproduction;<br /></p><p>(iii) the reproduction will not be exhibited until after the proceeding has been concluded and all direct appeals have been exhausted; and<br /></p><p style="margin-bottom:0;">(iv) the reproduction will be exhibited only for instructional purposes in educational institutions.<br /></p></blockquote></blockquote><p>An appellate court may permit broadcasting, televising, recording, and taking photographs of public judicial proceedings in the courtrooms of appellate courts in accordance with the guidelines set forth in an appendix to this Canon, subject, however, to the authority of each court and the presiding judge of each court or panel to (a) control the conduct of proceedings before the court, (b) ensure decorum and prevent distractions, and (c) ensure the fair administration of justice in the pending cause.<br /><strong>[Amended effective April 29, 2015] </strong> </p><p align="center" style="margin-bottom:0;"><strong>APPENDIX TO CANON 3 </strong> </p><p style="margin-top:0;"><strong>Guidelines for Extended Media Coverage of Proceedings in Appellate Courtrooms </strong> </p><p>I. As used in these guidelines, </p><p>A. 'Extended coverage' means any recording or broadcasting by the news media of court proceedings using television, radio, photographic or recording equipment. </p><p>B. 'Presiding Judge' means the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Louisiana, the Chief Judge of a Court of Appeal, or the senior judge of a panel of which the Chief Justice or Chief Judge is not a member. </p><p>C. 'Proceeding' means any hearing, motion, argument on appeal or other matter held in open court which the public is entitled to attend. </p><p>D. 'Party' means a named litigant of record who has appeared in the case, and includes a party's counsel of record. </p><p>E. 'Media' means legitimate news gathering and reporting agencies and their representatives. </p><p>F. 'Court' means an appellate court and includes the Supreme Court of Louisiana and the Courts of Appeal of the several circuits. </p><p>II. All extended media coverage of court proceedings shall be governed by the principle that the decorum and dignity of the court, the courtroom and the judicial process will be maintained at all times. Resolution of any question of coverage or procedure not specifically addressed in this section will be guided by this overriding principle. </p><p>III. A. The consent or approval of parties to extended coverage is not required. Parties may object to extended coverage by filing a written objection stating the reasons therefore with the Clerk of Court at least 10 days prior to the date of the proceedings. Upon objection by a party, or on the court's own motion, the presiding judge may prohibit or limit extended coverage of a proceeding. </p><p>B. Extended coverage shall not be permitted in any proceeding which by law must or may be held in private. </p><p>C. The decision of the presiding judge on any question of coverage shall be final and shall not be subject to review by any other court. </p><p>IV. Extended coverage of a proceeding shall not be permitted unless notice of intention to provide extended coverage of a proceeding is given by the media to the Clerk of Court at least 20 days in advance of the proceeding, provided that only reasonable notice shall be required for coverage of expedited proceedings not regularly calendared. </p><p>V. Extended coverage of court proceedings may be provided by news media agencies and their representatives. Film, videotape, photographs, and audio reproduction shall not be used for commercial or political advertising purposes. Such use of these materials will be regarded as an unlawful interference with the judicial process. </p><p>VI. Extended coverage of investitive or ceremonial proceedings at variance with these guidelines may be authorized by the court. </p><p>VII. When extended coverage is permitted, all media representatives shall have equally the right to provide coverage. When extended coverage is to be provided by more than one media representative, the media collectively should designate one representative to coordinate with the court all matters dealing with extended coverage. Any pooling arrangements among the media required by the limitations and restrictions on equipment and personnel contained in these guidelines shall be the sole responsibility of the media and must be made in advance of the court proceedings to be covered. Judges and court personnel will not mediate any dispute as to the appropriate media representative or equipment authorized to cover a particular proceeding. If pooling arrangements cannot be made or if there are unresolved media disputes, the presiding judge may deny extended coverage of proceedings. </p><p>VIII. A. No more than two portable television cameras, each operated by no more than one camera person and positioned as unobtrusively as possible at locations approved by the court, shall be permitted to be physically in the courtroom. Only television equipment which does not produce light or distracting sound will be permitted. Videotape recording equipment which is not a component part of a television camera shall, whenever possible, be located in an area outside the courtroom. </p><p>B. No artificial lighting device of any kind shall be employed in connection with the television camera. With the approval of the court, modifications and additions to existing courtroom lighting may be made provided such modifications or additions are installed and maintained without public expense. Multiple video/audio feeds may be permitted but must be provided by a video/audio distribution system, furnished by the media, located outside the courtroom. </p><p>IX. A. No more than one still photographer, using not more than two still cameras with not more than two lenses for each camera without flash or other artificial light, shall be permitted to be physically in the courtroom. Still cameras must not produce distracting sound and should produce no greater sound than the Leica M Series Rangefinder camera. Motorized film advance systems will not be permitted. </p><p>B. The photographer shall be positioned in a place designated by the presiding judge and remain in that area except when the proceeding is in recess. Changing of lenses or film will only be done during a recess. </p><p>X. Only one audio system for radio broadcast purposes will be permitted in the courtroom. Audio pickup should be made from existing audio systems in the courtroom whenever possible. If no technically suitable audio system exists in the courtroom, microphones and related wiring shall be permitted but must be unobtrusive and located in places designated in advance by the presiding judge. Multiple radio feeds rather than a pooling system may be permitted but must be provided by an audio distribution system, provided by the media, located outside the courtroom. </p><p>XI. When extended media coverage is authorized, individual journalists may bring tape recorders into the courtroom and use them to record proceedings so long as they do not cause any distraction. Journalists using tape recorders may sit at any place in the audience portion of the courtroom, but must keep their tape recorder on their person at all times. Changing of tape cassettes during proceedings is not permitted and should only be done during a recess. </p><p>XII. All camera and audio equipment must be in position at least 15 minutes before the start of the proceedings and can only be moved or removed after the proceedings are over or during a recess. Television camera persons and still photographers must remain in their designated area and are not permitted to move about the courtroom. Television cameras and radio broadcast equipment, once in position, may not be moved during the proceedings. Movement by television and still photographers should be held to a minimum and in no way should be distracting or call undue attention to the operators. </p><p>XIII. Camera and audio equipment authorized by these guidelines shall not be operated during a recess in a court proceeding. Extended coverage in the judicial area of a courthouse or other court facility is limited to proceedings in the courtroom in the presence of the presiding judge. </p><p>XIV. The dignity and decorum of the court must be maintained at all times during extended media coverage activities. Court customs, including appropriate dress, must be followed. </p><p>XV. The confidentiality of the attorney/client relationship must be protected. Therefore, there will be no audio recording, radio, television, or tape-recording, made or broadcast of any conference between attorneys and their clients, between co-counsel of a client, between counsel and the presiding judge when held at the bench, or of proceedings held in chambers. No parabolic microphones shall be used. </p><p style="margin-bottom:0;">&nbsp;</p><p align="center" style="margin-top:0;">Contact: Hon. Veronica O. Koclanes - Clerk of Court <br />400 Royal Street, Suite 4200 <br />New Orleans, LA 70130-8102 <br />504-310-2300 </p><p align="center" style="margin-bottom:0;">&nbsp;</p></div></div>    </div>