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Guidelines for Media Coverage

Contact for Media Requests

Media Request Form:

You must fill out the form for all media requests. Click the following link below to access the form:
Request for Electronic Recording, Writing, and Transmitting

Submit the request form via email to:


This inbox is monitored by:

  • Technical Support Staff – for assistance with the Media Switching Room and Parking Lot Media Connection
  • Operations Staff – for processing the Media Request Form and routing it to the appropriate judge and judicial staff for review and approval

Advance Notice Requested:

If you are requesting to use either the Media Switching Room or the Parking Lot Media Connection, please provide at least 24 hours’ notice whenever possible.

Thank you for helping us maintain an open and respectful courtroom environment while ensuring the integrity of court proceedings.
If you still have questions after reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions below, please contact:

Debbie Spradley, Trial Court Administrator
Phone:  503-655-8670


Frequently Asked Questions

These connections are available in Courtrooms 4A, 5A, and 6A.

Please email CLA.Media.Requests@ojd.state.or.us​ at least 24 hours in advance whenever possible to coordinate use with Technical Support Staff. Training is available upon request.

Yes. The main entrance at the front of the courthouse is the only public entry point.

No. Grand Jury spaces are not public. You may wait in the public hallway outside.​

​No. Interviews inside the courthouse require approval from the Presiding Judge. Interviews inside a courtroom require approval from the judge presiding over the hearing (UTCR 3.180, SLR 3.181)​.

​Yes. Coverage is prohibited for proceedings listed in UTCR 3.180(9)​, including:

  • ​In-chambers proceedings
  • Private counsel/judge conversations
  • Juvenile, dissolution, paternity, custody, visitation, adoption, civil commitment, trade secrets, abuse, restraining order and stalking order proceedings and similar matters
  • Voir dire and juror appearances anywhere during the trial in which he or she sits
  • Sex offense proceedings (if requested by the victim)
  • Recesses

Contact the judge presiding over the case or email CLA.Media.Requests@ojd.state.or.us​ if you are unsure.



Here is some general guidance:
  • Cameras must be mounted on a tripod
  • It is possible for there to be more than one camera in the courtroom, but it must be approved by the judge presiding over the hearing (UTCR 3.180(2), (4))​.
  • If you want to move your camera position, please make this request of the judge presiding over the matter during a court recess. Do not move equipment without permission. In public areas, follow assigned placement and if needed, seek permission of the Presiding Judge to change it.

​No. All public access coverage must be visible and transparent.​

​No. The court does not facilitate juror interviews.

​Submit the Request for Electronic Recording, Writing, and Transmitting Form​ to the Presiding Judge as early as possible. This may be submitted through the email group to CLA.Media.Requests@ojd.state.or.us​.  One form may be used for multiple cases on the same day. If approved, a link will be provided. Media must join muted with camera off. Remote access is only allowed for proceedings already offered remotely.

  • ​Courtroom requests are routed to the assigned judge.
  • Common space or remote access requests are routed to the Presiding Judge.

​Not without prior authorization from the Presiding Judge (SLR 3.181)​.

​Yes. Court authority extends only to court-controlled interior spaces (UTCR 3.180)​.

​Yes. See SLR 3.185(2)​.

You may, as follows:
  • Within the courtroom - only with written permission from the presiding judge (SLR 3.185)​.
  • From within the courthouse but outside of a courtroom – you may, but video, photo, or audio recording is still subject to prior approval under SLR 3.181​.

​Contact the judge’s office. Staff may answer or refer your question. Judges may not comment on pending cases.

Yes. Key rules include:
Judges may also issue special orders to maintain decorum or facilitate proceedings.

​Yes. Violations of media access rules or orders may result in summary or remedial contempt.​

Please use our Public Records Request process, which is available on our website under “Record Requests” at:

This site can be used to request both documents and audio recordings. To help us locate the record efficiently, please include as much detail as possible such as:  
  • ​Full case name and number (if known)
  • Date(s) of the proceeding or event
  • Type of document(s) or record requested