Senate committee passes measures on cameras in courtrooms

The Senate Judiciary Committee has passed several measures allowing cameras in the courtroom, the Blog of Legal Times reports.

The committee passed the Sunshine in the Courtroom Act, which asks the Judicial Conference to draft guidelines for judges to use in determining whether to permit cameras in court.  Another bill requires the U.S. Supreme Court to televise oral arguments unless the court determines that live coverage should be prohibited in a specific case.

The BLT reported that the committee’s chair, Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said the judiciary has "lagged behind" Congress when it comes to incorporating televised proceedings.