Marion County IN - Rule 2.17 - Confirm Media

Media members have to certify for each request on the submission form certify that they meet the definition of news media as defined in Comment [2] of the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct Rule 2.17. “[2] News media is defined as persons employed by or representing a newspaper, periodical, press association, radio station, television station, or wire service and covered by Ind. Code § 34-46-4-1.

Marion County IN - Rule 2.17 - Organization

Marion County IN - Rule 2.17 - Organization Name of media organization

Marion County IN - Rule 2.17 - Court ID

Marion County IN - Rule 2.17 - Court ID

Case Number

A case number for Marion County Superior Court should follow the format: 49DXX-XXXX-LL-XXXXXX

Case Name

Enter the case name such as Smith vs Brown

Rule 2.17 Terms & Conditions

I understand that the broadcasting, televising, recording, digital streaming, or photographing of court proceedings or the courtroom by members of the news media under the following conditions  –

1. the Marion Superior Court and Circuit Court need at least 5 business days to review a submitted request.

2. Under the NEW RULE, cameras are still prohibited in court unless authorized by the judge. Commentary included with the rule provides further conditions; for example, certain people—including minors and jurors—may not be shown on camera, only news media as defined in Ind. Code 34-46-4-1 may be authorized, and the judge may revoke authorization at any time for any reason.

3. The means of recording will not distract participants or impair the dignity of the proceedings;

4. The broadcasting is restricted to non-confidential proceedings;

5. Under paragraph (3) of the newly amended Rule 2.17, the judge has discretion to approve or deny a request for broadcast of a court proceeding. If the judge allows broadcast, the judge has discretion to interrupt or stop the coverage if he or she deems the interruption or stoppage appropriate. The judge also has discretion to limit or terminate broadcast by a news media organization at any time during the proceeding.

6. News media is defined as persons employed by or representing a newspaper, periodical, press association, radio station, television station, or wire service and covered by Ind. Code § 34-46-4-1. By agreeing to this condition, you are certifying that this is true.

  a. Representatives of news media organizations may be required to wear identification.

  b. The judge has discretion to determine who is admitted as news media and under what conditions. 

  c. Members of the general public are prohibited from broadcasting, recording, or photographing court proceedings.

7. All civil and criminal proceedings are eligible for broadcast by the news media, except for proceedings closed to the public, either by state statute or Indiana Supreme Court rules. 

8. No broadcast of a court proceeding is allowed without authorization from the judge. 

9. All authorized broadcast coverage of a court proceeding must comply with the Indiana Rules of Professional Conduct and the Indiana Code of Judicial Conduct.  

10. The judge must prohibit media broadcast of minors; juvenile delinquency and CHINS matters; victims of violent offenses, sex offenses, and domestic abuse; jurors; attorney-client communications; bench conferences; and materials on counsel tables and judicial bench.

11. The judge has discretion to deny broadcast coverage of a witness for safety concerns.

12. A judge may require news media to submit requests to broadcast a trial court proceeding in advance of the court proceeding. The judge has discretion to modify the notice period. 

13. The judge will provide a copy of the request to the counsel of record and parties appearing without counsel.

14. The judge must post notice in the courtroom that news media personnel may be present for broadcast of court proceedings, and filming, photographing, and recording is limited to the authorized news media personnel.

15. More details of Rule 2.17 can be found at https://www.in.gov/courts/files/order-rules-2023-0215-jc-217.pdf