If the new procedures work, the public’s access to its courts could change forever.
Across all levels of government, courts are adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic by offering alternatives to traditional in-person participation.
On Monday, for the first time in its 230-year history, the U.S. Supreme Court held arguments by teleconference.
The high court had postponed arguments in 20 cases scheduled for March and April, as courtroom sessions were seen as unsafe, especially with six justices aged 65 or older and at risk of getting seriously sick from the virus, the Associated Press reported. However, the justices ultimately decided to hear 10 cases by phone over six days this month.
On the first attempt, the justices heard arguments from two lawyers, with no glitches reported in the discussions. By hearing the arguments now, the courts can decide cases by the court’s summer break.
While numbers haven’t been disclosed yet, anyone from across the globe could’ve listened-in on arguments. The viewership likely exceeded the occupancy allowed in the courtroom, as it holds about 500 people, including members of the public.
In the coming weeks, Indiana’s courts will also change operations to better keep the public informed.
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush signed an order on April 22 for all trial courts to have a transitional plan for live-streaming by May 17. The order authorizes local courts to use streaming platforms to keep the court processes transparent to the public.
Courthouses are currently closed to the general public due to COVID-19, but decisions on essential matters are still coming down from the courts.
According to Bartholomew Circuit Court Judge Kelly Benjamin, issues such as setting bond for criminal defendants, issuing protective orders, child custody issues, juvenile cases and Child In Need of Services (CHINS) cases are still being handled.
The next step is bringing Bartholomew County Information Technology director Scott Mayes in to get his recommendations. A determination could be made on what type of streaming platform might be used by the time the judges meet with members of the Bartholomew County Bar Association, which is scheduled for today.
Even though a number of hearings will be live-streamed, all the local judges still want to maintain what Benjamin calls “a reasonable plan of protocol” in their courts. Hearings that are confidential by law will rightfully not be streamed.
The new platform will allow more citizens, including the immuno-compromised, to keep up with what’s going on in local courts in a safe manner.
Should the U.S. Supreme Court continue to have success streaming, and local courts also receive positive feedback, courtrooms could look much different in the future.
If the courts can pull off the feat in an appropriate way, and live-streaming stays, it will be a big win for the public. More transparency will lead to a better-informed community.
