34 USC 20142 - Closed circuit televised court proceedings for victims of crime

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 11, 2024

§ 20142.

Closed circuit televised court proceedings for victims of crime

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding any provision of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure to the contrary, in order to permit victims of crime to watch criminal trial proceedings in cases where the venue of the trial is changed—

(1)

out of the State in which the case was initially brought; and

(2)

more than 350 miles from the location in which those proceedings originally would have taken place;

the trial court shall order closed circuit televising of the proceedings to that location, for viewing by such persons the court determines have a compelling interest in doing so and are otherwise unable to do so by reason of the inconvenience and expense caused by the change of venue.

(b)

Limited access

(1)

Generally

(2)

Exception

(c)

Restrictions

(1)

The signal transmitted pursuant to subsection (a) shall be under the control of the court at all times and shall only be transmitted subject to the terms and conditions imposed by the court.

(2)

No public broadcast or dissemination shall be made of the signal transmitted pursuant to subsection (a). In the event any tapes are produced in carrying out subsection (a), such tapes shall be the property of the court and kept under seal.

(3)

Any violations of this subsection, or any rule or order made pursuant to this section, shall be punishable as contempt of court as described in section 402 of title 18.

(d)

Donations

(e)

Construction

(1)

 So in original. No par. (2) has been enacted.

Nothing in this section shall be construed—

(i)

to create in favor of any person a cause of action against the United States or any officer or employees thereof, or

(ii)

to provide any person with a defense in any action in which application of this section is made.

(f)

“State” defined

(g)

Rules

(h)

Effective date

(Pub. L. 104–132, title II, § 235, Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1246.)

cite as: 34 USC 20142