Colorado Supreme Court pauses livestreams of criminal court proceedings

The Colorado Supreme Court is temporarily pausing livestreams of criminal court proceedings across the state, citing repeated disruptions in virtual courtrooms and unauthorized use of courtroom video online.

Livestreaming had been largely automatic after the Colorado General Assembly passed a provision that generally required criminal proceedings to be livestreamed. That same rule also required certain findings before a livestream could be limited or stopped.

But according to a new directive, court officials say “bad actors” have repeatedly disrupted hearings by posting violent, pornographic, racist or misogynistic images. Because apparently some people saw “court proceeding” and thought, “Let’s make this worse.”

The Colorado Judicial Branch says the pause is necessary to protect the fairness and integrity of criminal cases, while also safeguarding victims, witnesses and others involved in the proceedings.

Court officials also pointed to concerns about courtroom videos being recorded and shared without permission on social media platforms and other websites.

The pause is described as temporary, though there’s no word yet on when livestreaming of criminal cases may resume.