The Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law partnered to host a Law School for Journalists. The free, one-day program was designed to provide journalists with tips on how to cover all aspects of the Indiana judicial system. New and experienced journalists and editors in television, print, radio and Internet attended.
Helen Lucaitis, an alumna of the host law school and former practicing attorney and Court TV correspondent, was the keynote speaker. She addressed the importance of accurate coverage of the judicial branch and of finding the balance between reporting to the public and respecting the legal system.
See more photos from the Law School for Journalists event on Flickr
The program topics included the court system as whole and specific court matters such as mental health. Trial court judges have long dealt with mental health issues in a variety of cases; however, courts have been challenged recently by the appearance of veterans in increasing numbers. The Veterans’ Treatment Court was implemented in response to the growing trend of veterans who face charges stemming from substance abuse or mental illness that potentially relates to their military service.
Journalists were taught about sentencing reform and its impact on a community. They learned what it means when a court sentences an offender to community supervision, how probation departments assist courts in identifying offenders who can benefit from community supervision, and how probation departments provide services to offenders in the community.
Participants engaged in a round-table discussion on the sometimes competing aspects of the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of the press and the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee of a right to a fair trial. Topics included: the responsibility of the trial court and the bar in conducting trials; the responsibility of the news media in reporting on trials; and, the effect of new media technology on juror access to information.
Reporters who have limited experience in covering the courts attended an introduction session. Trial court judges: 1) explained the jurisdiction of courts; 2) reviewed the stages of civil and criminal proceedings; 3) offered tips for interacting with court staff; and, 4) answered questions regarding the general operation of courts.
Another area focused on how the Courts regulate the conduct of lawyers. There is a great deal of information available to reporters covering attorney discipline cases. Representatives from the Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission and the Indiana State Bar Association’s Ethics Committee offered an inside look at how complaints of attorney misconduct are handled. The panel also discussed what information related to these cases is available to the public and why certain information remains private.
Attendees had the opportunity during lunch for informal discussions with judges, journalists, professors and experts on a variety of topics from the first amendment to the inner-workings of the Supreme Court. This proved to be a unique chance for those in the media to have one-on-one time with important members of the judiciary.
Members of the press described the Law School for Journalists as a successful, informative program that helped connect the media to the Indiana judicial system. The program was co-sponsored by the Indiana Judges Association, Indiana Broadcasters Association, Indiana State Bar Association and the Hoosier State Press Association Foundation with support from the Judicial Conference Community Relations Committee.