Pilot Project for Cameras Starts in Minnesota Courts

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (AP) - A pilot project allowing cameras in some criminal court hearings has begun in Minnesota district courts.

The project that began Tuesday is limited to hearings that take place after a defendant is convicted in certain types of cases. Cameras aren't allowed when a jury is present, and they're excluded from juvenile proceedings or those involving domestic violence or sex crimes.

The project is an expansion of a similar one that allowed cameras at civil case hearings.

The Minnesota Supreme Court decided in August to allow expanded access of media camera and audio recordings of criminal proceedings in the pilot project. Formerly, all parties to a case had to consent before recordings were allowed, leading to few cases where cameras were permitted.