Minn. Supreme Court OKs cameras in courtrooms with conditions

The Minnesota Supreme Court is making permanent a three-year pilot program that's allowed some district court proceedings to be recorded or photographed.

Under the pilot, cameras and audio could be used without consent of the involved parties after guilty pleas had been entered or guilty verdicts returned.

The high court said Monday the recording and picture rules will be permanent starting Sept. 1 with some changes, including a reduction in the number of days ahead media organizations must request recording access.

The new rules also allow judges to authorize audio and video recording of cases prior to guilty pleas or verdicts, but only with the consent of all of the parties involved.

The Supreme Court is prohibiting audio and video recording in murder cases accompanied by criminal sexual conduct or attempted criminal sexual conduct.