The People of the State of Colorado, Petitioner: v. Michelle Re Nae Bialas. Respondent:

Summary

The court held that free, contemporaneous virtual access does not by itself satisfy a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to a public trial. The trial court's exclusion of all spectators from the physical courtroom during substantial portions of the trial was a nontrivial closure, and the court failed to justify it under the required closure factors. The court therefore affirmed the court of appeals' reversal of Bialas's convictions and remand for a new trial.