Tips on Covering Federal Courts
Covering federal courts can be a daunting task for journalists but it is a crucial part of democracy. Federal courts handle cases that can impact laws, public policy, and the lives of citizens. Journalists play a vital role in ensuring that the public has access to information about the workings of these courts and the decisions they make.
Here are some tips for journalists who want to cover federal courts.
UNDERSTAND THE BASICS
Before diving into court coverage, it's essential to have a basic understanding of the federal court system. Federal courts are divided into three tiers: district courts, circuit courts, and the Supreme Court. District courts are the trial courts, while circuit courts hear appeals. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and has the final say on legal disputes. Each district court covers a specific geographic area, and each circuit court covers multiple states. There are 94 U.S. district courts, 13 courts of appeals (circuit courts) and specialized courts for bankruptcy, veterans’ claims, taxes and trade. It's crucial to know which court is handling the case you're covering and the judges involved.
FOLLOW CASES
Once you understand the basics of the federal court system, it's time to start following cases. Court filings are public record and available on PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records), an online system that provides access to federal court documents. You can use PACER to follow cases, read court filings, and download documents. It's also helpful to attend court hearings and trials to get a firsthand account of what's happening.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND OBSERVE OFFICIALS
Building relationships with court officials, lawyers, and judges can help you get the inside scoop on cases—but watching lawyers move through the court system can be equally as informative. Katelyn Polantz, a crime and justice reporter for CNN, was able to use her powers of observation to trace the trajectories of legal officials through the court system: “...one of her jobs was to write little notices of lawyers moving from one firm to the next…But for Polantz, it was a way to start building a source list of lawyers in Washington and watch as they moved from clerkships into influential law firms into the administration and back to firms. This deep sourcing helped her cover compelling cases and breaking news,” according to an article from the National Press Foundation.
UNDERSTAND LEGAL TERMINOLOGY
Legal terminology can be confusing and intimidating, but it's crucial to understanding court cases. Take the time to research and understand legal terms and concepts so that you can accurately report on cases. It's also helpful to have a legal expert that you can turn to for clarification or insight.
KNOW THE RULES
Federal courts have strict rules and procedures that journalists must follow. Be aware of the court's rules on cameras, recording devices, and electronic devices. Some courts may prohibit the use of electronic devices altogether, while others may allow them under certain conditions. Be sure to check the court's rules before attending a hearing or trial, as you could significantly negatively impact the trial itself or your own standing with the court if you do not strictly observe their rules.
UNDERSTAND WHEN IT’S POLITICAL
At the Supreme Court level, politics is more likely to play a part in major decisions, as we saw with the Dobbs v Jackson case in 2021. “The decisions they make are more likely to reflect their ideological and political background and the experience that they bring to the bench and their style, their way of looking at a given case,” said journalist Zoe Tillman, a senior reporter for BuzzFeed News. The circuit courts, however, are a different story: “In most cases, it does not really matter,” Tillman said. “They have the least freedom in how they decide cases. They have to follow the precedent of their circuit.”
Covering federal courts requires a basic understanding of the federal court system, which can then lead into other resources slowly becoming available for you to follow over time. With these tips in mind, journalists can effectively cover federal court cases and provide the public with critical information about the workings of our justice system, and cases that may affect their specific communities.
