Are trials open to the public? (murder, criminal, notorious, murdering)

[nnyl]

Are trials, open to the general public? Obviously, some that are notorious, are stated that they are closed .. or they hand out tickets. Casey Anthony comes to mind.

But, as a rule, .. are they open to the general public?

There is a trial that is upcoming locally that I would be interested in. I don't know any of the folks involved.

It's just been of interest to me, as I've seen the news stories and watched as it moved along to where it's about to go to trial.

This struck my interest, one morning early, before daylight, as I headed to work, and had to detour and found the road closed where I enter to go to work, cordoned off by police presence.

Turned out that a murder had occurred. A local young man, from a wealthy local family, sits in jail, accused of murdering a prostitute he was with.

I have never been to any trial, and so I might find it all very boring, don't know.

But just wondered if I would even be allowed to attend, as just a member of the general public.

[Rubi3]

I think they are open to the public.

[Redraven]

I doubt there is any hard-and-fast-rule.
Seems like it would be up to the Judge and the lawyers.

[LillyLillyLilly]

The big trials are always packed. No way all those are only family and victims. I can't think of one offhand that has been closed. Some don't allow cameras or video, but I can't think of any where the public wasn't allowed to attend, tho there are probably exceptions.

[wit-nit]

Originally Posted by LillyLillyLilly

The big trials are always packed. No way all those are only family and victims. I can't think of one offhand that has been closed. Some don't allow cameras or video, but I can't think of any where the public wasn't allowed to attend, tho there are probably exceptions.

^^^Correct. Here is some good info on the subject. Criminal Trial Publicity | Nolo.com

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by Redraven

I doubt there is any hard-and-fast-rule.
Seems like it would be up to the Judge and the lawyers.

It's strictly up to the judge. All court proceedings are normally public, but if they're putting a child rape victim or someone similar on the stand and they want to help them get through testifying without collapsing, the judge can order the courtroom cleared.

[GiGi603]

Originally Posted by nnyl

I have never been to any trial, and so I might find it all very boring, don't know.
.

I find traffic court pretty darn interesting. People watching at its best!

[nnyl]

Thanks for the replies. I don't know if I'll actually have the nerve to go. I guess maybe if I knew someone involved, and had any official "business" being there. But I don't (thankfully) know anyone involved.

It just peaked my interest when trying to get to work one early morning before daylight. Found the road that I turn onto to reach my employment, blocked off with heavy police presence (there is a hotel on the road). I had to detour in order to get to my job that day. So, of course, I wondered what in the world must've happened. Saw local news media there reporting. So I tuned in later, and learned that there had been a prostitute stabbed to death and another prostitute almost murdered. Later that day, an arrest was made. A local fairly well-to-do family, their son, under arrest.

Just tragic, all the way around.

[joe from dayton]

Trials are generally open to the public and seating is on a first come, first served basis as long as the occupancy limit is not exceeded. It is pretty unusual for a judge to close a courtroom.

[Cliffie]

Originally Posted by nnyl

Thanks for the replies. I don't know if I'll actually have the nerve to go. I guess maybe if I knew someone involved, and had any official "business" being there. But I don't (thankfully) know anyone involved.

It just peaked my interest when trying to get to work one early morning before daylight. Found the road that I turn onto to reach my employment, blocked off with heavy police presence (there is a hotel on the road). I had to detour in order to get to my job that day. So, of course, I wondered what in the world must've happened. Saw local news media there reporting. So I tuned in later, and learned that there had been a prostitute stabbed to death and another prostitute almost murdered. Later that day, an arrest was made. A local fairly well-to-do family, their son, under arrest.

Just tragic, all the way around.

I want to repeat: a lot of the people in court on any given day have no business being there. Court is public, and courtwatching is one of the great free spectator sports.