Before Judge Michael Nash gave media access to the courts this Tuesday, state law only allowed reporters to sit in on proceedings if they persuaded the judges, but this rarely happened. Because of this, the Times reports, the press had to use incomplete case records that were released long after court decisions were handed down and problems were unknown to the public.
Members of the media will be allowed to hear cases involving child abuse and adoption, reports the Times, but not crimes committed by children.
The change has sparked outrage among county supervisors, union leaders and some lawyers. Lawyers expressed concern over children's privacy, while the union argued that the change is illegal because it goes against state law. The Children’s Law Center of California reportedly may appeal the judge’s order, according to the Times.
Nash is California’s longest-serving Juvenile Court judge.
