In two spirited sessions last week, the U.S. Supreme Court engaged in oral arguments over same-sex marriage, as citizens endured inclement weather, long lines and even paid money, as much as $6000, to gain one of the seats in court. It is time, argues Tony Mauro, for the Court to allow unobtrusive cameras into the court. (The National Law Journal, April 1, 2013)
As Mauro mentioned in his commentary, the Court is attempting to improve public access. According to an e-mail to FAC from the Supreme Court’s Scott Markley, the Court expeditiously released audio recordings and transcripts in the DOMA and Prop 8 cases. After the oral argument ended at 11:27 a.m., the transcript and argument audio were posted at 12:38 p.m. and on Wednesday with the oral argument over at 12.13 p.m. the postings were up on the Court’s website by 1:24 p.m. . Mauro considers this encouraging but insufficient. Click here for the Peter Scheer’s argument for allowing cameras in courts. (First Amendment Coalition, April 1, 2013, by Donal Brown)