Vernon's Texas Rules Annotated - VTRA TX R HAYS CTY DIST Chapter 7. Rules Governing the Recording, Broadcasting, or Photographing of Court Proceedings

(a) “Courtroom” means both in-person and virtual courtrooms.

(b) “Court” means the particular Judge or Associate Judge before whom the proceeding will be held.

(c) “Recording, Broadcasting, or Photographing” means any visual or audio recording, broadcasting, or photographing by any equipment, any means, and any individual or entity.

(a) Investiture, Ceremonial, or Adoption Proceedings.  If the recording, broadcasting, or photographing is of investiture, a ceremonial or adoption proceeding, permission and the manner of recording, broadcasting or photographing are determined solely by the Court, with or without guidance from this rule.  If the recording, broadcasting, or photographing is desired for other than investiture, a ceremonial or adoption proceeding, the provisions of this rule governs.

(b) Trials or Other Court Proceedings.  A person wishing to record, broadcast, or photograph any person, object, or proceeding in a physical or virtual courtroom must seek permission with the bailiff in charge of the Court or the office of the District Court Administrator, who will convey the request to the Judge.  The requestor should be prepared to provide the following information:

Failure to provide the above information will constitute sufficient grounds to deny the request.

In determining a request, the Court will consider all relevant factors, including but not limited to:

If the Court grants the request, the requestor must comply with Rules 7.4 through 7.7.  The failure to comply with these rules or any other order of the Court regarding the recording, broadcasting or photographing of proceedings may result in the violator being held in contempt of court.

(a) Require that a person seeking to record, broadcast, or photograph a proceeding demonstrate or display the equipment that will be used;

(b) Prohibit equipment that produces distracting sound or light;

(c) Prohibit signal lights or devices showing when equipment is operating, or require their concealment;

(d) Prohibit moving lights, flash attachments, or sudden light changes;

(e) Require the use of the courtroom's existing video, audio, and lighting systems, if any;

(f) Specify the placement of personnel and equipment;

(g) Determine the amount of equipment to be allowed in the courtroom;

(h) Require pooling of equipment if more than one person wishes to record, broadcast, or photograph a proceeding;

(i) Require that operators not move equipment or enter or leave the courtroom while the Court is in session, or otherwise cause a distraction.  All equipment must be in place in advance of the proceeding or session;  and

(j) Require that identifying marks, call letters, words and symbols must be concealed on all equipment.  Personnel must not display any identifying insignia on their clothing.

(a) The Court will attempt to make the courtroom available when not in use for the purpose of installing equipment;

(b) Counsel (to the extent they deem their client's rights will not be jeopardized) must make witness lists available;  and,

(c) The District Court Administrator on request will inform those requesting to record, broadcast, or photograph proceedings in a particular matter of settings in that matter.