Committee to set up pilot for cameras in court

Minnesota will soon see cameras in the courtroom - on a trial basis.

The state Supreme Court has ordered a committee that has been studying the issue to work with the media and set up a pilot project.

The order issued Thursday says the group will draft rules for allowing cameras in court, and find ways to measure whether they affect courtroom participants and what the cost is. Recommendations are due next January.

The court says the judicial branch will not fund the pilot project.

Members of the news media want to televise and photograph trials, but there has been concern that such coverage could affect victims, or discourage victims or witnesses from coming forward.

Minnesota's current judicial rules permit TV cameras in district courts if the judge, prosecution and defense all sign off - something that has seldom happened since the rule was enacted in 1983.

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