The South Dakota Supreme Court took testimony from all sides Thursday regarding the usage of electronic recording devices in trial courts. Chief Justice David Gilberson says the states judges were polled as to what plan they would like to see…
Judge David Gienapp, who was part of the Committee that studied the use of cameras and voice recorders, during proceedings is in favor of Plan One, that signs off on the use of the devices only if judges, prosecutors and defense lawyers agree. He sees Plan Two that presumes courts ARE open to recordings as too costly for counties…
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2010/10/supcocam2.mp3|titles=supcocam2]Defense Attorney Tim Rensch of Rapid City is against opening courts to media equipment..
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Both Gienapp and Rensch also expressed concern for the added paperwork and last minute legal jockeying that could take place if Plan Two is enacted. Radio News Director Zach Nelson spoke in favor allowing devices in court and thinks at the very least one set of proceedings in court should be open no matter what….
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2010/10/supcocam4.mp3|titles=supcocam4]Supreme Court Media Coordinator Dexter Gronseth of KELO-Land TV suggested the use of a pilot program and outlined briefly how a court room would be set up. He says quite simply use of cameras helps tell the story…
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2010/10/supcocam5.mp3|titles=supcocam5]A third proposal would have allowed for internet streaming of court proceeding but was scrapped due to the 50-thousand dollar per court room cost to set up.