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Information for Media/Public
Overview
Media/Public Access to Hearings Request for Remote Access to Proceedings
Media FAQs
If you are seeking to obtain a media ID on short notice, we will attempt to accommodate your request; however, we cannot guarantee it. To request an ID on short notice:
Note: We do not mail IDs. All media IDs must be picked up in person by the individual cardholder. This Court can issue read-only Electronic Case Filing (ECF) accounts (known as a Virtual Press Box or VPB) to members of the press with a USDC-MA Media ID. This expanded access to the Court's ECF system enables a reporter to receive e-mail notifications to an individual e-mail account when a document is filed in a case that the reporter may choose to follow. Note: If you do not already have a media application on file with us, one must be submitted to complete this request. This Court uses an electronic case filing system (CM/ECF or Case Management/Electronic Case Files system). Public information entered into CM/ECF is available through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER is an electronic public access service that allows users to obtain case and docket information from federal appellate, district and bankruptcy courts, and from the U.S. Party/Case Index. For high-profile hearings, the Court may send a notice with instructions for seating request sign-up. Please check the Press Releases section of this webpage for this information. Otherwise, seating for high-demand proceedings is arranged by Court officials to ensure that the press, public, counsel, and others have reasonable access. For high-demand proceedings, the Court will typically set up an audio-video feed to another courtroom to accommodate additional observers and members of the media. Information regarding scheduling of a hearing will be posted to the docket when the date is set by the Court. Please check PACER for updates, and view information on our page about accessing the Virtual Press Box to receive immediate alerts for cases of interest to you. You may also look on the public calendar, which is posted two days in advance for each Division: Boston, Worcester, and Springfield. Transcripts may be purchased through the court reporter, viewed at the public terminal, or viewed through PACER after it is released. Transcripts are released on PACER 90 days after being docketed. For information on accessing documents via PACER, click here. To request a transcript from the court reporter, contact the Court Reporter Supervisor at katelyn_coppola@mad.uscourts.gov. No. All media must be credentialed for the District of Massachusetts to carry electronics into USDC-MA courthouses and to receive access to the Virtual Press Box. JOURNALIST'S GUIDE TO THE FEDERAL COURTS The Administrative Office has published "A Journalist's Guide to the Federal Courts," which is intended to assist representatives of the media assigned to court coverage. http://www.uscourts.gov/News/JournalistsGuide.aspx FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER The Federal Judicial Center is the education and research agency for the federal courts. Congress created the FJC in 1967 to promote improvements in judicial administration in the courts. The FJC website contains the results of Center research on federal court operations and procedures and court history, as well as selected educational materials produced for judges and court employees. AO - U.S. COURTS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS The current FAQ page is a link to the Administrative Office website. Contacting the Court A wealth of information is available on the Court's website and public docket. Journalists are expected to make their best efforts to obtain answers to their questions by reviewing the pertinent web pages. Journalists should contact the Media Liaison with all other questions concerning court proceedings and documents and interview requests for judges. Email is the preferred method of contact. Media Liaison: Robert M. Farrell, Clerk of Court Media email: media@mad.uscourts.gov Journalists should not contact the assigned judge's courtroom deputy, docket clerk or chambers directly for any reason. Court Rules Affecting the Media and the Public: Photography/Video/Broadcasting/Recording The Court has strict rules governing the use in the courthouse of electronic devices, photography, and audio and video recording. All journalists and members of the public are expected to review and abide by these rules. Local Rule 83.3(a) provides: "Photographing, Recording, and Broadcasting Generally Prohibited. Except as specifically provided in these rules or by order of the court, no person shall take any photograph, make any recording, or make any broadcast by radio, television, or other means, in the course of or in connection with any proceedings in this court, on any floor of any building on which proceedings of this court are or, in the regular course of the business of the court, may be held." Click here to view other court rules affecting the media. Violations of these rules may result in the suspension or revocation of the media credentials of an individual or media organization and the imposition of other sanctions upon court order. Resources for Journalists
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