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DeChristopher Decorum Order

This document outlines decorum rules for media and public attendance at the upcoming trial of Tim DeChristopher beginning February 28, 2011. It establishes that (1) seating will be reserved for media and public, (2) media must have visible credentials, (3) no interviews are allowed in the courthouse, (4) witnesses cannot be contacted until trial concludes, and (5) no electronics, photography, or broadcasting are permitted in the courtroom. Violations may result in exclusion or contempt charges.

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Ben Winslow
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74 views2 pages

DeChristopher Decorum Order

This document outlines decorum rules for media and public attendance at the upcoming trial of Tim DeChristopher beginning February 28, 2011. It establishes that (1) seating will be reserved for media and public, (2) media must have visible credentials, (3) no interviews are allowed in the courthouse, (4) witnesses cannot be contacted until trial concludes, and (5) no electronics, photography, or broadcasting are permitted in the courtroom. Violations may result in exclusion or contempt charges.

Uploaded by

Ben Winslow
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IN THE UNITED

Case 2:09-cr-00183-DB STATES56


Document DISTRICT COURT Page
Filed 02/25/11
1 of 2
DISTRICT OF UTAH - CENTRAL DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, FILED IN


CQ UNITED ,­
Plaintiff, TRIAL DECORUM ORDER URr, DISiF{i1i-1TES DI.
~Ci OFU SiRlCi
v. F'E8 2 iAl{
Case No. 2:09cr183 DVByD. M41i/( J, 5 2011
TIM DeCHRISTOPHER, Judge Dee Benson 0/WE8 C'I..
Defendant(s). DtPU7'Ij , Eli/(
CLE:I,?"r:

To ensure that the trial, scheduled to begin Monday, February 28, 2011, in the above­
captioned case proceeds in an orderly manner and to provide for media coverage and for public
observation ofthe proceedings, the following provisions regarding protocol, decorum, and the use
of electronic devices will be in effect.

1. The trial will be held in Courtroom #246, on the second floor. A portion of the spectator
gallery of the courtroom will be reserved for media representatives and the public, as well
as for concerned parties to the matter at hand.

2. Media representatives and spectators will be expected to be in their seats approximately 20


minutes prior to the commencement ofcourt proceedings. An overflow space for the media
has been arranged in Room 140, on the first floor.

3. Media representatives will be required to have their own agency-issued press credentials
(including photo) visible at all times, on their person, while in the Courthouse, Courtroom
#246, and the Media Room #140. Courtroom access passes will not be issued from the
District Court Clerk's Office, but instead court security officers and court staffwill rely upon
these visible press credentials for decision-making regarding appropriate seating and
decorum issues. Failure to be properly identified may result in exclusion from subsequent
hearings related to this matter.

4. No media interviews will be permitted inside the corridors, courtrooms, conference rooms,
or the Media Room (140) of the Courthouse.

5. Members of the media who are granted access to the Media Room (140) and not the
courtroom, due to limited seating, are expected to maintain professional decorum and to
abide by these same ground rules in that overflow space whenever possible.

6. The press and the public are reminded that they should not attempt to communicate with
prospective witnesses for the trial until its conclusion. Failure to observe this prohibition or
disruption caused related to attempts to communicate inappropriately with witnesses may
result in a charge of contempt of court.

7. Media representatives will not be permitted to bring laptop computers into the courtroom.
For those media representatives seated in the overflow space (Room 140), laptops will be
permitted in that location for the purposes of drafting a story/news coverage. Broadcasting
and transmission is strictly prohibited from Room 140.

8. Cellular phones are not permitted inside the Courthouse, except for counsel and members
of the court staff, unless otherwise permitted by order of the presiding judge.
Case 2:09-cr-00183-DB Document 56 Filed 02/25/11 Page 2 of 2

Page Two - Decorum Order for DeChristopher trial

9. No cameras or photography of any kind will be permitted inside the Courthouse. This
includes all cellular phones, handheld PCs, laptops, or other electronic devices with a built-in
camera.

10. Any electronic devices with wireless transmission capability such as cellular telephones,
handheld PCs, laptops, or other must either be switched off completely or the wireless
capability deactivated while in the Courthouse. No transmission, email, internet posting,
online social networking, or broadcasting is permitted from within the Courthouse by
members of the media or the pUblic.

11. The use of wireless and related electronic devices to record or to broadcast any court
proceedings is expressly forbidden. No person seated in the courtroom and no media
representatives in the Media Room (140) shall attempt to engage in such recording or
broadcasting. Failure to comply with this prohibition may result in the confiscation of the
device, in exclusion from the Courthouse for the duration ofthe proceedings in this matter,
and/or a charge of contempt of court.

12. No member ofthe media or public will be admitted within the courtroom well (internal area
of the courtroom where counsel, court staff, and clients are located) at any time.

13. Counsel, parties, and witnesses in this matter shall restrict their participation in any media
interviews, briefmgs, or related interactions, to locations outside of the Courthouse.

14. The Clerk's Office ofthe Courthouse, Room 150, is intended for conducting court business.
Its intake area is not a location for lengthy waiting by members of the media or the public.
Information for members ofthe media will be posted in Room 140 and via communication
with Michelle Oldroyd. Disruption to the work of the Clerk's Office or blocking access to
its intake area is strictly prohibited.

15. Courtroom artists will be permitted in the gallery of the courtroom for these proceedings.
Any questions regarding seating or directions regarding sketches shall be directed to the
Michelle Oldroyd for further clarification.

16. Members of the media or the community with any questions regarding this matter are
directed not to contact the chambers ofJudge Benson, and are instructed to contact Michelle
Oldroyd at (801) 524-6128 with any concerns.

17. Any violation of the foregoing, and any conduct which the Court finds disruptive of the
proceedings, will result in an order oftemporary or permanent exclusion of the offender(s)
from the remainder of proceedings in this matter.

IT IS HEREBY 00ED.

DATED thisk day of February ,2011.

BY THE COURT

~~6~~~

JU GE DEE BENSON

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