A judge denied a motion to close pretrial hearings in the Parkland school shooting case. Attorneys for Nikolas Cruz had asked the judge to close court proceedings.
The First Amendment Foundation was part of a media coalition to argue against closure. Attorney Dana McElroy told the Associated Press that the decision “allows access to all of the hearings and filings in this case of great public concern, which is both contemplated and required by the Constitution.” Read more from AP.
This ruling reaffirms Florida’s longstanding and strong presumption in favor of open court proceedings and records in cases of public interest.