PIERRE, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson says a rule allowing news cameras and electronic recording equipment in trial courts is working as intended.
Gilbertson says news organizations have received permission to use cameras or audio recording devices in about two-thirds of the requests that have been decided so far.
The Supreme Court approved rules allowing those recording devices in circuit court hearings and trials beginning July 1, 2011.
In his State of the Judiciary speech Wednesday to the South Dakota Legislature, Gilbertson said judges and attorneys have agreed to full access by cameras and recording devices in seven cases, and judges granted audio access in 21 other cases.
He says electronic access to circuit court proceedings was denied in 18 cases.
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