Rule 8 Impermissible Use of Material

Here's what this rule means: if a news camera or recording device captures footage during a court hearing, that footage doesn't automatically become part of the official case record. The only way it counts as part of the record is if it's formally introduced and admitted as evidence, just like any other document or exhibit.

The actual official record of a case is made up of two things: the written transcript created by the court reporter or recording system, and the physical or digital exhibits that were entered into evidence during the proceeding. Video or audio recorded by media outlets for news coverage doesn't count, even if it captures the exact same hearing.

This distinction matters because it keeps the news media's footage separate from the legal case file. A judge, lawyer, or appeals court reviewing what happened in a case will look at the certified transcript and admitted exhibits, not news footage, when they need to know exactly what was said or shown in court.