Media
Requests to Photograph, Record or Broadcast in Court
To request permission to photograph, record or broadcast a Court proceeding, please follow the instructions outlined and forms available below.
- Court Order re Use of Cameras and Recording Devices (Policy and Instructions)
- FORM MC-500 Request (fillable)
- FORM MC-510 Order (fillable)
- California Rule of Court 1.150
Please follow the instructions provided above to complete your media request and order for coverage of a court hearing. All required forms should be submitted to the appropriate court location via email at least five (5) court days prior to the court hearing, as follows:
- Salinas – Criminal Division – SubmitSalinas@monterey.courts.ca.gov
- Monterey – Civil & Family Law Division – SubmitMonterey@monterey.courts.ca.gov
If your filing is accepted, your request and order will be forwarded to the appropriate judge for review. Once your request is reviewed and returned to the Clerk's Office, a conformed copy will be returned to you via email.
When considering a request to record, photograph, or broadcast a court proceeding, a judge must consider the factors provided in California Rules of Court, rule 1.150(e)(3), as follows:
- The importance of maintaining public trust and confidence in the judicial system;
- The importance of promoting public access to the judicial system;
- The parties' support of or opposition to the request;
- The nature of the case;
- The privacy rights of all participants in the proceeding, including witnesses, jurors, and victims;
- The effect on any minor who is a party, prospective witness, victim, or other participant in the proceeding;
- The effect on the parties' ability to select a fair and unbiased jury;
- The effect on any ongoing law enforcement activity in the case;
- The effect on any unresolved identification issues;
- The effect on any subsequent proceedings in the case;
- The effect of coverage on the willingness of witnesses to cooperate, including the risk that coverage will engender threats to the health or safety of any witness;
- The effect on excluded witnesses who would have access to the televised testimony of prior witnesses;
- The scope of the coverage and whether partial coverage might unfairly influence or distract the jury;
- The difficulty of jury selection if a mistrial is declared;
- The security and dignity of the court;
- Undue administrative or financial burden to the court or participants;
- The interference with neighboring courtrooms;
- The maintenance of the orderly conduct of the proceeding; and
- Any other factor the judge deems relevant.
Automated Case Information
This site allows viewing of court calendars and name index-search of defendants for Criminal, Civil, Traffic and Small Claims cases.
Glossary of Legal Terms
View the Judicial Council's Glossary of Legal Terms to guide you in legal terminology.