Local Rule Civil Rule 83.7: Free Press – Fair Trial Provisions

Civil Rule 83.7 Free Press – Fair Trial Provisions a. Official Newspapers. "San Diego Union-Tribune" being a newspaper of general circulation within the County of San Diego and within above district, and the "Imperial Valley Press" of El Centro, California, being a newspaper of general circulation in the County of Imperial and within the above district, are designated as the official newspapers for publication of all notices required to be published by law or order of this court. The Court may, in any case for the convenience of the parties in interest or in the interest of justice, designated any other newspaper for publication of notices as the Court may determine. b. Publicity. Courthouse supporting personnel, including, among others, marshals, clerks and deputies, law clerks, messengers and court reporters, will not disclose to any person information relating to any pending criminal or civil proceeding that is not part of the public records of the Court without specific authorization of the Court, nor will any such personnel discuss with the public the merits of such proceeding while it is pending before the Court. c. Photographs, Broadcasts, Video Tapes and Tape Recordings Prohibited. All forms, means and manner of taking photographs, tape recordings, videotaping, broadcasting, or televising are prohibited in the United States Courthouse Building during the course of, or in connection with, any judicial proceedings, whether the Court is actually in session or not. This rule will not prohibit recordings by a court reporter provided, however, no court reporter or any other person will use or permit to be used any part of any recording of a court proceeding on, or in connection with, any radio, video tape or television broadcast of any kind. The Court may permit photographs of exhibits to be taken by or under direction of counsel. The Court, on motion, may permit the video taping of depositions in rooms other than courtrooms to be used for court proceedings. d. Publicity in Criminal Cases. In criminal cases or proceedings before any judge of this court, prosecuting attorneys and defense counsel, as officers of this court, and their associates, assistants, agents, enforcement officers and investigators, must refrain from making, or advising or encouraging others to make to, for, or in the press, or on radio, television or other news media, statements concerning the parties, witnesses, merits of cases, probable evidence, or other matters which are likely to prejudice the ability of either the government of the defendant to obtain a fair trial.