Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure R. 18
Rule 18. Media access to court proceedings.
Terms Used In Montana Rules of Appellate Procedure R
- Oral argument: An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.
- Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
(1)Media coverage.
(a)Provided that the orderly procedures of the supreme court are not impaired or interrupted, the media is welcome to record and photograph, or broadcast by radio or television or other means, the oral arguments of the supreme court.
(b)No person or organization will have exclusive access to a proceeding in the courtroom. The chief justice will advise media outlets if pool coverage is necessary.
(2)Equipment.
(a)Broadcast media should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to oral argument to begin setting up equipment. All equipment must be in place and tested 15 minutes in advance of the time scheduled for the oral argument.
(b)The chief justice will determine locations for all video cameras, still cameras, and audio equipment within the courtroom.
(c)Video and photographic equipment must be of professional quality with minimal noise so as not to disrupt the proceedings; flash equipment and other supplemental lighting or sound equipment is prohibited unless specifically approved by the supreme court.
(d)Handheld tape recording devices may be used so long as the device can be positioned so as not to obstruct or impair the proceedings.
(e)Cellular telephones, alarms, pagers, or other sound-producing devices shall be turned off at all times when the supreme court is in session.