Ask the Judge: Media access in the Courtroom

By Judge Steve Walker

In most courtrooms across the country, media access is normally limited, unless you are talking about my Pct. 2 Justice of the Peace Court.

Unlike other Judges, I allow total access to my courtroom by various outlets of the local media. To date, News-4 WOAI, KENS-5, KSAT-12, Univision KWEX-41, the San Antonio Express-News, National Public Radio, (NPR) 1200 WOAI Radio, and 550 KTSA Radio have visited my courtroom at one time or other for stories related to the JP dockets.

By allowing local media an opportunity to visit the court and cover various cases or topics important to the public, the community is better informed.

As a former media reporter in television, radio and print besides writing this weekly column, I believe it is in the best interest of the public.

Of course there are limitations of what can be covered in the court room. For example, TV cameras cannot show young children’s faces without permission of parents.

As recently as last week, one of the local television stations covered a Small Claims suit by a citizen against the City for negligence in my court. The trial lasted over two hours before the jury reached a unanimous verdict. The cameraman and reporter followed the testimony of witnesses to its conclusion in the courtroom. By the time this column is published the proceedings will have been aired by the local station.

Days before that trial another local television news reporter and photographer covered my truancy docket for a story on statistics about dropouts and excessive truancy and how it affects student’s graduation rates.

Recently yet another reporter followed up on a story that the San Antonio Police are re-evaluating their procedures of citing students for day time and night time curfews. As a retired teacher I was able to share some insight on the issue since I had previously testified in Commissioner’s Court two years ago when the County updated their curfew requirements.

Each Judge has broad discretion as to whether or not media is allowed into their courtrooms. Some believe the presence of the media is distracting while others like me believe that it is more positive by allowing them to cover part or all of the proceedings.

Lastly as always, if you are due in court, be sure to show up to court on time. It is in everyone’s best interest.

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran and a former Journalist. 63rd consecutive week in the Sunday edition of La Prensa.