By Barb McQuade

Dear Reader, 

The keen interest in last week’s oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court make it clear that the time has come for cameras in federal courtrooms. 

Unlike state courts, federal courts have long prohibited cameras. The debate over cameras in the courtroom is nothing new. The issue is the subject of perennial discussion in Congress, where nearly every year, legislation is introduced that would allow cameras in federal courtrooms. (Preet Bharara and Joyce Vance discussed some of this history on a recent episode of the CAFE Insider podcast.)