Media Guidelines

Rules Governing Media in the Courtroom

Rules on cameras and electronic media coverage in the court are covered in the Nevada Supreme Court Rules, Part IV; Rule 229 through 246. Supreme Court Rules.

Request to Film or Photograph Court Proceedings

To photograph or film inside a courtroom, you must obtain prior permission. To request permission to film or photograph:

1. Complete the media request form, and
2. Email the form to the Court Administrator/Clerk of the Court, Alicia Lerud, at CourtAdmin@washoecourts.us, and
3. Email the administrative assistant of the department to which the case has been assigned, if any.

General Information

All persons entering the courthouse must pass through electronic security devices and submit any and all equipment for search at the discretion of security officers and/or court deputies. Media members are asked to refrain from bringing excess bags or backpacks into the courthouse. Please bring only what is essential

Seating is limited in the courtroom. Media will be directed to a designated area by a bailiff on a first-come basis.

Media pooling requirements under Supreme Court Rule 229 through 246 will be enforced. Supreme Court Rules.

Cameras

No camera equipment will be permitted in a courtroom without prior authorization from the presiding judge.

Absolutely no photography (still or video) will be allowed outside of any courtroom without permission from Court Administration. Any violation of this rule will result in a revocation of media privileges

At no time will camera setups be allowed to impede the flow of pedestrian traffic inside or outside the building.

Flash photography or lights on cameras are not allowed.

Cameras must be set up at least 15 minutes prior to court proceedings. Breakdown of equipment may not occur until there is a natural break in the proceedings and must be out of the jury’s presence.

Photography (still or video) of any member of a jury panel is strictly prohibited.

Decorum

All persons must comply with court rules regarding dress and decorum. For more information on these rules, read courtroom rules.

Please refrain from any behavior that might draw attention to yourself, or distract jurors, attorneys, court personnel, witnesses and others, or otherwise disrupt a court proceeding.

Cellphones must be turned off when in the courtroom.

Case Information

Public Cases: the case caption, docket, and upcoming events are available on our website under "Case Inquiry."
Case Search
Case Search by Name

Options for obtaining public case records:

1. Purchasing Copies of Court Records
2. Public terminals for viewing public case documents are available at the Law Library located at 75 Court Street, Rm 101, and the Resource Center at 1 South Sierra Street, 3rd floor.
3. Paid eFlex Subscription Account: Access to public documents to all Second Judicial District Court’s public cases may be made by purchasing a “Subscription Account” for our electronic filing system, eFlex. A subscription account can be purchased for $300 by following the steps here: Paid eFlex Subscription Account Sign-up

Confidential Cases: staff may not provide information to the public about confidential cases that is not publicly accessible on our website. If there are public records obtainable, they may be viewed in person at the courthouse, and/or copies may be requested, or a subscription account to our electronic filing system (eFlex) may be purchased to view public case documents.

Sealed Cases: if you are requesting information on a sealed case, no information may be provided by court staff.

Settlement Conferences are Confidential: the only portion of a settlement conference that may be covered is when the settlement, if one is reached, is put on the record. When a settlement is placed on the record, media presence is permitted only if the judge conducting the settlement conference and all parties to the settlement conference have agreed to allow the media to be present.