Supreme Court TV

Posted February 6, 2008 by John T. Ward

The plaintiff, clocked in the eye by a foul ball while buying a beer at a Newark Bears game, wanted to sue the stadium. But rookie state Supreme Court justice Roberto Rivera-Soto summed up the bench’s collective resistance to the idea. “If your client wanted the protection he’s asking for,” he told the plaintiff’s lawyer, “then he should have watched the game on TV.”

It turns out that oral arguments before the state’s highest court can be pretty interesting hardball. And thanks to live streaming video of the court’s public sessions, citizens need no longer travel to Trenton to see the action or size up the players. The Webcasts, begun in January, begin their second season this month when the court reconvenes. Webcasts and supporting legal briefs are available at www.njcourtsonline.com, where they’re archived for 30 days.

A court spokeswoman says that on days when the court hears arguments, the Webcasts average 1,000 hits. Considering that the courtroom seats only 60 spectators, it seems the Supremes are suddenly a hot ticket.

 Article from September, 2005 Issue

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