Cameras in Minnesota Courtrooms

Minnesota is among the strictest states when it comes to cameras in courtrooms and the state legislature may take action this session to further restrict access. Under current law, if all parties agree prior to the commencement of criminal proceedings, cameras are allowed in court, but this rarely happens. In 2015, the Minnesota Supreme Court began a pilot project allowing cameras during sentencing in criminal court with only the judge’s permission. Senator Jerry Relph, R-St. Cloud, believes this move is the “nose under the tent” and has authored a bill to prevent an expansion of filming court proceedings.