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Federal courts do not currently allow cameras in the courtroom. That has the potential to change with the unprecedented trial of former US President Donald Trump. Cameras have been used in rare cases such as for investitures, naturalization or ceremonial proceedings.
He has been indicted on 37 counts of mishandling classified documents
The indictment marks the first time in U.S. history that a former president faces criminal charges by the federal government he once oversaw.
Media outlets almost certainly will push to have cameras in the court. Should that happen we can almost guarantee viewership of this trial will make the OJ Simpson trial look like child's play. 150 million viewers watched that one.
We have odds on cameras in the court priced at -110 both ways as this is a crap shoot.
Victor Shi, the youngest elected Delegate for Joe Biden in 2020, is a writer, speaker, organizer, activist, podcast co-host, wrote an opt-in piece for the Chicago Tribune Tuesday. He says "our country needs cameras in the courtroom during Donald Trump’s federal trial".
Arguments against having cameras include performing for the audience and swaying jurors.
Shi writes: "Televising and livestreaming Trump’s trial will send a strong message that our justice system still works, that not even former presidents can skirt our laws."
But, more importantly perhaps, he adds: "Putting cameras in the courtroom could spur an entire generation of young people to pay attention and become more active participants in our democracy."
Lest we forget, last year, the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation trial was televised and livestreamed, and the number of people who watched it was jaw-dropping. On YouTube alone, the trial amassed nearly 84 million hours watched, with 3.5 million peak viewers at one point. More people tuned into that trial than any other livestream happening on YouTube at the time. In short, people tuned in — and more young people talked about that trial than I could’ve ever imagined.
Obviously this isn't Johnny Depp-Amber Heard.
Interestingly enough, the New York Senate approved a bill that would permit cameras in the courtroom ahead Trump's trial in that state, expected to start in March of next year. He plead Not Guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records on March 30.
This is a state case and currently New York is among the states that do not permit cameras in courtrooms. John C. Depp, II v. Amber Laura Heard was a trial held in Fairfax County, Virginia. That commonwealth allows cameras in the courtroom.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
