The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has declined to impose a ban on tweets, texts, email and other electronic communication in Pennsylvania courtrooms.
The (Allentown) Morning Call reports that county judges will decide on a case-by-case basis whether the public and news organizations are allowed to report court proceedings in real time.
Some prosecutors and defense attorneys favor more openness to electronic communication. But some judges ban devices, fearing their effect on courtroom decorum or even witness safety.
A court committee drafted a proposed ban three years ago, but one justice says the high court simply couldn't reach a consensus.
Jurors have long been told not to watch television or read newspapers about cases, and many courts have added admonitions against using social media or Internet research.
