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Media Information

General Information

Media Forms

Court Updates - X (Twitter) Feed

All updates for Court operations will be provided via the Court’s X (Twitter) feed: @scscourt(link is external).

Questions related to proceeding updates should be directed to media@scscourt.org(link sends email).

Media Access to Court Facilities

See Standing Order Re: Use of Recording Devices In and Around Courthouse Facilities and Over Audio or Video Platforms dated February 27, 2025.

No recording devices, including still and video cameras, as well as voice recorders will be permitted into any courthouse without an approved order by a judge.

Approved orders for Court proceedings DO NOT extend to hallways or public areas of the courthouse.

Media outlets wishing to capture or record events in the hallways or public areas will need to submit a separate request, as only the Supervising Judge for that facility or Presiding Judge has the authority to grant coverage in public areas.

Court facilities are designated free speech zones and media have a right to record in front of courthouses. However, at no time shall any person or object directly impede an individual from entering or exiting the building.

The Sheriff’s Office personnel at any facility’s metal detector will be able to assist media with determining an appropriate place to set up that does not impede pedestrian entry or exit.

In the event of heightened media interest, the Court retains the discretion to establish a media feed.

Submitting MC500/510

All requests to record proceedings (MC-500 and MC-510 ) must be submitted electronically to media@scscourt.org(link sends email). The Court no longer accepts hand-delivered or faxed requests.

Requests must be received five business days in advance of the hearing, with the exceptions listed below:

  • Generally, any media outlet wishing to record a 1:30 PM felony arraignment at any one of our three criminal courthouses (Hall of Justice, Palo Alto and Morgan Hill) must submit their request no later than 11:30 AM that same day. No requests will be processed after 11:30 AM. Case numbers are preferred but not required for arraignments, as often case numbers are not available before 11:30 AM.
  • Generally, any media outlet wishing to record a felony plea or other pre-trial matter handled by one of our felony cases manager judges at the Hall of Justice will be automatically permitted as long as the outlet meets the following cut off times:
    • 3:30 PM on the previous day before a 9 AM calendared matter
    • 11:30 AM that same day for a 1:30 PM calendared matter.

Pooling Arrangements

  • Hall of Justice: generally, one video camera and one still camera will be permitted into arraignment and pre-trial matters handled by one of our felony case management judges. For video, the last media outlet to submit their request will be designated pool – unless that outlet uses a unique format, with the pooling then adjusting to the second to last outlet to submit a request. At the request of print outlets, still camera pooling and the accompanying photo credit will be given to the first outlet to submit its request. For all other non arraignment and pre-trial matters, pooling will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • Palo Alto & Morgan Hill: generally, one video and one still camera will be permitted to felony arraignment and pre-trial matters. For these matters, outlets will be designated pool. For all other non pre-trial matters, pooling will be determined on a case-by-case-basis.
  • All other Santa Clara County Courthouses: pooling will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Trial Coverage

It’s critical that media requests are submitted five days or more in advance of the trial. The Court needs adequate time to notify the parties, and if necessary set a hearing to discuss the matter. Media outlets should consider providing any and all pertinent information in their request relating to public interest with respect to media access to the case.

Please note, there is little justification for not meeting the five day rule as trials are generally set weeks in advance. A journalist or media outlet just learning of a court hearing is generally not perceived as a sufficient reason for noncompliance with the five day rule.

Court File Requests

Journalists should obtain court records through the standard public process outlined below. 

Reporters on deadline and in need of immediate assistance should contact media@scscourt.org(link sends email).

Electronic and paper copies of Court records are $0.50 per page, with an additional $5 charge for credit cards. 

Administrative Records

The Court is governed by California Rule of Court 10.500 with respect to public access to administrative records. Media outlets wishing to obtain administrative records should email media@scscourt.org(link sends email).

The personnel cost associated with retrieving information contained in the Court’s databases will be charged to the person or entity requesting the data. Rates vary.

Electronic and paper copies of administrative records are $0.50 per page, with an additional $5 charge for credit cards. 

Requests for court-security camera video are governed by General Court and Administration Rule 8.  Requests may be made using Local Form GS-056.

Obtaining Transcripts

Court proceedings may be captured either by a court reporter or taped electronically. Depending on the specific proceeding, either a paper transcript or a copy of an electronic recording may be available upon request. Click here to learn more…

Laws and Policies Governing Media Access and Procedures

Juvenile Proceedings

Sketch Artists

Media are to solicit and contract sketch artists directly as the Court will play no role in coordinating the purchasing of images.

Sketch artists are not required to obtain permission prior to coming to Court and sketching images. There are limited circumstances where sketch artists would not be permitted to capture images from the courtroom; however, these will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Inmate/Booking Photo Information for Santa Clara County

The Santa Clara County Department of Corrections (DOC) DOC website (link is external) has information regarding individuals in custody.

The DOC also provides an online look-up service (link is external) where you can look up inmate booking information.

The Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of booking photos and should be contacted directly by those wishing to obtain these images.

CRC Rule 1.150 re: Photographing, Recording, and Broadcasting in Court