Over the course of the last 25 years, I've seen a lot of TV cameras be permitted to go inside the courtrooms and film what's going on, in my own cases and also in other cases – whether they be high-publicity actors or actresses, or whether it just involves a serious case like a murder or some sort of a sex crime. Cameras are not automatically allowed in the court, especially TV cameras, as this allows reporters to put their spin on things. They don't have all the information. There is a certain standard that must be met in order to allow a television camera inside one of the LA courtrooms.

Whoever wants a TV camera – it's usually the News stations that have an interest in the public seeing what's going on, versus prosecutors who are not supposed to be trying to garner favor and support because of the television camera being in the courtroom. They are supposed to be seeking justice, so they shouldn't be lobbying for TV cameras in a courtroom. Most of the time, they don't have a position, unless the prosecutors feel it will harm them if a television camera is present in the courtroom. However, it's usually the News media that say, 'Hey, listen, the public has a right to know. ' It's a public courtroom, and we should be able to televise it.

Now the defense can argue, ' Wait a minute. ' If you televise this thing and then put your spin on it, it's going to hurt my client. It will essentially interfere with any potential jury pool. They're going to say, wait a minute. I've seen this case. I've heard the News media on it, and they think that's the truth. That's just how the human brain works. Oh yeah, I heard about his guy. He did this, this, and this; meanwhile, the News media has no information. They don't have the police reports. They don't have the evidence. They don't know what the investigation is. They almost never have the defense's side of the equation. So, the bottom line is that unless the News media can demonstrate a compelling interest, they will not be able to film if the defense can present a strong argument that the jury pool could be tainted and possibly their client prejudiced due to the News media coverage.

Are There Times When News Media and Television In Courtrooms Can Actually Help A Criminal Defendant?

I would say, absolutely, to that. I've used them myself where we want to get our side of the story out. The News media is reporting one thing – they're saying a bunch of stuff with a one-sided slanted story and we want to get the defense's story out, so I'm able to get on television and I'm able to say the positive, powerful things about my defendant's case – get his or her side of the story out – and now at least there's a story. There's one side, and now the defense's side comes out, so people start thinking, ' Well, wait a minute. ' Maybe there is another side to the story. Perhaps there is another way to view this situation. If you're able to do that, then once a case goes to trial, at least you're on even footing.

To be honest with you, most of the time I don't make any comments because I don't really have all the information when the News media is attempting to get on a case. I usually don't have the police report. I don't have any investigating information. We haven't done a defense investigation. I haven't seen any videos or any witness statements. So, it doesn't make sense. It's probably foolish to start making a bunch of comments before you have all the information. So, if you're involved in a high-profile case and need to sit down with an attorney who has navigated this terrain before, achieved success, and knows how to handle these cases, come sit down with me. We'll develop our strategy and make the moves and decisions that put you in the best light to the public and provide a defense that can protect your freedom, rights, reputation, and everything you hold dear.