XIII. Tips for covering courts in the jurisdiction

Overview

Florida

Requests for court records are not required to be in writing. Obtaining paper court records from court clerks can be very expensive. By statute, clerks are permitted to charge $1.00 per page. Ask for a copy to be emailed to you. Many assistant clerks will not be aware of it, but the Florida Supreme Court Administrative Order AOSC06-21 (Interim Policy on Electronic Release of Court Records) permits, but does not require, the emailing of court records on request.

Contact the respective court’s administrator’s office and the relevant judicial assistant prior to setting up cameras. Some circuits employ media specialists.

Be familiar with relevant administrative orders, which are open to the public and posted on each court’s website. (You may access the individual circuit’s sites via www.flcourts.org.) Administrative orders and customary practices often vary by circuit.

Journalists should rise and orally object in open court to the closure of proceedings at which the journalists is in attendance and request that the court recess briefly to enable the journalist to contact counsel. Otherwise, counsel should be contacted immediately when the media becomes aware of a closure so that the court may be made aware of the objection on an expedited basis. If the circumstances permit, a written response to any closure motion and/or a motion to intervene are often filed. Some courts will permit oral arguments only.