The Kansas Supreme Court is asking residents to comment on a new rule that would set guidelines for district courts to give live or recorded public access to court proceedings.
Rule 160, as it’s officially called, would cover policies for live broadcasts, whether through the internet or closed-circuit methods; as well as recordings; when to start or finish broadcasts; and how to respond to motions requesting limits on broadcast or recording access.
Rule 160 also says attorneys would be responsible for maintaining privileged communications by silencing microphones — and also need to be mindful of certain camera angles that could show communications, oral or written, between attorneys and their clients.
This would not apply to district courts already recording court hearings under a separate rule as part of the official court record.
Residents interested in giving their thoughts can email publiccomments@kscourts.org until noon April 8. The subject line must read “Rule 160” to be considered.
