Fix the Court is pushing federal judiciary leaders to revisit, and potentially expand, the Judicial Conference’s audio policy to allow live audio of civil trials and witness testimony.

We feel that current restrictions limit transparency in high-interest cases, especially from Minnesota.

In a letter sent today to the judges who comprise the Judicial Conference, we ask that the issue be placed on the agenda for the Conference’s Mar. 10 meeting. Under existing policy, U.S. district judges are permitted to provide live audio access for certain non-trial civil proceedings, but live audio of civil trials or of testimony from witnesses in civil cases remains prohibited.

We find the current policy to be unnecessarily paternalistic. Judges should have the agency to control their own courtrooms, and in turn, the public should be able to hear, in real time and unfiltered, what witnesses are saying in federal courtrooms.

Allowing live audio enhances public trust in the judiciary by making courtroom testimony accessible to those who cannot attend in person — i.e., the vast majority of the country who can’t just take off work for the day, fly to MSP and sit in court.

As the March meeting approaches, we hope that federal judges will consider setting new standards for public access.

Or, honestly, a judge should just go ahead and allow a livestream during a witness’ testimony. What’s the worst that could happen? The Judicial Conference’s policy is little more than a paper tiger.