Media Policies & Procedures
The Ninth Judicial Circuit Court is pleased to provide information to the media. Contained in this section are the policies and procedures for interaction between the media and the Court. The following information has been compiled as part of our ongoing effort to enhance the relationship of cooperation between the Circuit and the media. We hope the information proves useful to you. It is our goal to ensure that the media and general public are accommodated to the best of the Court's abilities, while ensuring the right of the litigant to a fair and orderly trial and ensuring the operational integrity of the Court.
If there is additional information you would like to see or have any questions concerning the Court, please contact:
| Karen Levey | Director of Communications | 407-836-2047 |
| Rob Bains | Communications Coordinator | 407-836-0439 |
| Matt Benefiel | Court Administrator | 407-836-2051 |
| A/V Department | Audio/Visual On-Call Engineer | 407-836-0522 |
Press inquiries should be directed to Karen Levey or Rob Bains.
Media
Administrative Orders
The following policies apply to all trials held in Orange and Osceola County.
Please note that these orders and any orders issued by the presiding judge
will be strictly enforced.
Media
Parking
In Orange County, an area has been designated for media use. Contact Orange County Facilities Management to obtain a parking pass (407) 836-0101.
Cameras In Courtrooms
Pursuant
to order of the Florida Supreme Court, only one video camera, one still
camera, and one audio recording device for radio will be allowed in the courtroom.
Those operating recording devises shall comply strictly with the Supreme Court's Standards of
Conduct and Technology Governing Electronic Media and Still Photography
Coverage of Judicial Proceedings. Pool camera arrangements should be made
by the media. It is presumed that all media personnel covering court proceedings
have read and know the content of Rule 2.450 of the Rules of Judicial Administration,
Standards of Conduct and Technology Governing Electronic Media and Still
Photography coverage of Judicial Proceedings.
Courtroom Media Panels
Recording equipment and operating personnel shall be located in, and coverage of the
proceedings shall take place from the gallery area near the courtroom's media panel or in areas otherwise
designated by the Judge. Media panels provide audio for recording devises in the courtroom. Media are not permitted to place additional microphones in the courtroom without prior approval of the presiding Judge. NOTE: All video pool cameras operators must supply a BNC cable for connection to the courtroom media panel for the pool feed.
Movement
During Proceedings
Video cameras in the courtroom must be mounted and operated from a tripod. Still cameras can be handheld, however neither video or still photograpers are permitted to move about the courtroom during proceedings, nor engage in any movement or conversation that attracts undue attention. A video camera can only be installed or removed from the courtroom
when the Court is not in session.
Courtroom
Access/Seating/Decorum
Unless
otherwise specified by the presiding Judge, seating in the courtroom for
members of the press is on a first-come, first-served basis. Media persons
are requested to dress appropriately. No chewing gum, please. Pagers and
cell phones should be turned off or placed on vibrate mode.
Pooling
Pooling arrangements shall be the sole responsibility of the media.
Press
Rooms
Press rooms are available to record feeds or monitor proceedings. At the Orange County Courthouse the press room is room #230 on the second floor. At the Osceola County Courthouse the press room is room #1905 on the first floor. To access either room, please contact the Director of Communications and Public
Affairs.
Orange
County Courthouse and Jail Media Fiber System
The Orange County Courthouse and Jail have extensive fiber optic services available
to the news media. Each courtroom has fiber service installed. Contact John
Byram, Audio/Visual Senior Engineer, (407) 836-0522.
Orange
County Jail Courtrooms Media Fiber System
The courtrooms at the Orange County Jail have extensive fiber optic services available
to the news media. Each courtroom has fiber service installed. Contact John
Byram, Audio/Visual Senior Engineer, (407) 836-0522. Media Feed Procedures
Requests
for Information
Requests for information by outside services, agencies, or departments are
to be made directly to the Court Administrator or the Director of Communications
and Public Affairs.
Please note the following: