Requests to Record Oral Arguments

Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One

1.         As required by Arizona Supreme Court Rule 122, and with the exception noted in Paragraph 5 below, a person wishing to audio-record or video-record an oral argument in Division One of the Court of Appeals must submit a written request no later than 48 hours before the argument.  Upon receipt of the request, the Court will notify the parties to the matter, who may object pursuant to Rule 122(c)(4).  Pursuant to Rule 122(d), the Court generally will approve a request to audio-record or video-record an oral argument unless it determines that, based on factors such as those stated in Rule 122(d)(1), the harm of coverage outweighs the benefit.

2.         To preserve the dignity of the proceeding, in approving a request to record, the Court will specify the placement of recording equipment and personnel, and all equipment and personnel will be restricted to the designated area.  The general rule is that a person wanting to video-record or photograph an oral argument may use only one video and one still camera in the courtroom.  Microphones, cameras and other equipment must be as unobtrusive as possible and must not produce distracting sounds or otherwise disrupt the proceeding.  No flash devices, strobe lights, additional lights or higher wattage light bulbs may be brought into the courtroom without the approval of the Court.  Recording devices may not be moved about the courtroom while the Court is in session, and no one may install, move or take recording equipment, other than a personal audio recorder, from the courtroom during a proceeding. To the extent possible and appropriate, the Court will direct a person wishing to audio-record an oral argument to connect his or her recording equipment to the Court's recording system.

3.         Anyone recording an oral argument must avoid conduct or dress that may disrupt or detract from the dignity of the proceeding.

4.        If more than one person files a request to record an oral argument, they must pool their efforts to limit the number of recording devices in the courtroom to that approved by the Court.  They will have the responsibility to settle their own disputes, to facilitate pooling as necessary, and to implement procedures that meet the approval of the Court prior to the proceeding and without disruption to the Court.

5.         A person who wishes to use a personal audio recorder on his or her person to audio-record an oral argument need not request the Court's permission, but must give notice to the Court or to its staff before using the device.  As with any recording device, the use of such personal recording device must not be obtrusive or distracting.