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Let cameras in the courtroom: SA Law Society
Televising high-profile cases would promote the public’s understanding of the legal system, the new president of the Law Society of South Australia has said.
Stefanie Garber
In an interview with The Advertiser, David Caruso suggested technological advances could expand access to the state’s courts.
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Mr Caruso, who started his term this month, is the society’s youngest ever president.
“As technology improves, and can be introduced into courtrooms in less intrusive ways, there is no reason the legal profession would not welcome consideration of being publicly accessible,” he said.
“The main impediment to broadcasting court proceedings in a wider fashion is having the technology to do so. Once we have that in place, the dialogue should be open.”
However, Mr Caruso acknowledged that processes and limits would need to be put in place, such as consent from witnesses and victims.
Acting state Attorney-General Susan Close suggested the question of broadcasting proceedings “raises many issues”.
“Selective broadcasting may do more harm to public understanding of the justice system than the status quo,” she said.
On the other hand, opposition leader Vickie Chapman endorsed the concept, provided safeguards were in place.
“Public televising is just modern communication of it being an open court system,” she said. “In the criminal law system, yes that can be done, and it should be done.”
