New York Court of Appeals

In the Matter of Richard Oliver

March 22, 197230 N.Y.2d 171

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals held that a trial judge's order closing the courtroom to the press and public as a punitive measure for newspaper reporting violated the First Amendment because no clear and present danger was shown. The court also affirmed that the journalists had standing to challenge the order, but dismissed the petition as moot after the defendant was acquitted.