Bench and Media Guide to Interaction
Welcome to the "Bench and Media Guide to Interaction". This guide is a joint production of the Community Relations Committee of the Judicial Conference of Indiana and the Hoosier State Press Association, and is intended as a quick reference for judges and journalists seeking information on issues involving courts and the media. The content of the guide will be added to and updated on a regular basis, making it a continuing work-in-progress.
The "Bench and Media Guide to Interaction" follows the formation of the "Fire Brigade" as a tool for judges and journalists to use to allow media coverage of the courts to focus on actual trials and proceedings, rather than misunderstandings and disagreements. The Community Relations Committee and the Hoosier State Press Association value comments and suggestions regarding the content of this guide. Judges and journalists can contact either the Indiana Judicial Center (317-232-1313) and ask for Jenny Bauer, jennifer.bauer@courts.in.gov, or the Hoosier State Press Association (317-624-4427) and ask for the Association's General Counsel, Steve Key, skey@hspa.com, to submit comments and suggestions.
Overview of the Civil Court Process
Learn the basics of civil case proceedings in Indiana courts.
Overview of the Criminal Court Process
Learn the basics of criminal case proceedings in Indiana courts.
Public Access to Criminal Proceedings
Learn about the rules governing public access to criminal proceedings, including jury deliberations.
Public Access to Court Records
Read the Public Access to Court Records Handbook, based on Administrative Rule 9 and published by the Division of State Court Administration.
Judicial/Attorney Comment on Cases
What judges and attorneys can and cannot say during the course of a trial.
Media Contact with Jurors
Access the rules governing contact with jurors during the course of a trial.
Cameras in the Courtroom
Learn the rules regulating use of cameras in Indiana trial and appellate courts.
Gag Orders
What is a gag order, and how does it affect the press?
Grand Jury Proceedings
Learn about grand jury proceedings and their history of secrecy.
Public Access to Audiotapes of Court Proceedings
Learn how judges can handle public requests for audiotapes of court proceedings.
Prior Restraint Against Publication
What is prior restraint, and how does it affect the press?
Newsroom Subpoenas
What happens when the media is asked to testify in a trial?
Attorney Discipline
What happens when a grievance is filed against a lawyer? Is the process private or public? Are attorneys' disciplinary histories public? And more.
Libel Standard
What is libel according Indiana statutes and case law?
Indiana's Open Door Law and Access to Public Records Act
Learn about Indiana's Open Door Law and rules related to accessing public records from Indiana's Public Access Counselor.Advice for Judges Handling Media Requests
Assistance for judges and journalists to resolve conflicts arising over media coverage of the courts.
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