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Keywords

defendantappealtrialdue processobjectionpiracy
appealtrialobjectionappellantpiracy

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Chandler v. Florida, 449 U.S. 560, 101 S.Ct. 802, 66 L.Ed.2d 740, 7 Media L. Rep. 1041

Facts

Defendants, who were Miami Beach policemen, were charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, grand larceny, and possession of burglary tools after being recorded during the crime by an amateur radio operator. Their trial attracted significant media attention, leading to objections from the defendants regarding the televising of the proceedings. Despite their claims that the coverage denied them a fair trial, the Florida District Court of Appeal affirmed their convictions, finding no evidence of prejudice caused by the media's presence.

In July 1977, appellants were charged with conspiracy to commit burglary, grand larceny, and possession of burglary tools. The counts covered breaking and entering a well-known Miami Beach restaurant.

Issue

Whether a state may provide for radio, television, and still photographic coverage of a criminal trial for public broadcast, notwithstanding the objection of the accused.

The question presented on this appeal is whether, consistent with constitutional guarantees, a state may provide for radio, television, and still photographic coverage of a criminal trial for public broadcast, notwithstanding the objection of the accused.

Rule

The Constitution does not prohibit a state from experimenting with programs allowing electronic media coverage of judicial proceedings, provided that safeguards are in place to protect the defendants' right to a fair trial.

The Constitution does not prohibit a state from experimenting with a program such as is authorized by Florida's Canon 3A(7).

Analysis

The court analyzed the application of the revised Canon 3A(7) and determined that it did not inherently violate the defendants' due process rights. It noted that the defendants failed to demonstrate any specific prejudice resulting from the media coverage during their trial. The court emphasized that the presence of media does not automatically compromise the fairness of a trial, and that the defendants had the opportunity to object to the coverage, which was considered by the trial court.

The Florida District Court of Appeal affirmed, finding no evidence that the presence of a television camera hampered appellants in presenting their case, deprived them of an impartial jury, or impaired the fairness of the trial.

Conclusion

The court affirmed the decision of the Florida Supreme Court, allowing for the media coverage of trials under the revised Canon 3A(7), concluding that such coverage does not per se violate the defendants' constitutional rights.

376 So.2d 1157, affirmed.

Who won?

The State of Florida prevailed in the case, as the court upheld the constitutionality of the media coverage of the trial, finding no evidence that it compromised the defendants' right to a fair trial.

The Florida District Court of Appeal affirmed the convictions. It declined to discuss the facial validity of Canon 3A(7); it reasoned that the Florida Supreme Court, having decided to permit television coverage of criminal trials on an experimental basis, had implicitly determined that such coverage did not violate the Federal or State Constitutions.

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