Courtroom sketch
Encyclopedia
A courtroom sketch is an artistic depiction of the proceedings in a court
of law. To prevent distractions and preserve the privacy of those participating in court proceedings, cameras are not allowed in courtrooms in many jurisdictions. This requires news media to rely on sketch
artists for illustrations of the proceedings.
Courtroom artists can quickly capture a moment on paper and then sell their work to media outlets who would otherwise be denied a visual record of the trial. Pastels are typically used, but artists also use pencils, charcoal or other materials suitable for sketching. An established freelance artist working in a busy court system can work up to 45 hours per week. They may be paid per sketch, or on a per diem
commission. Sketches may be sold to television stations, newswire services, or newspapers, or even to lawyers or judges who may want to keep a sketch as a memento of a particular trial. Courtroom sketches may also be purchased for institutional archives, if they depict a trial of historic importance. The entire set of courtroom sketches related to the Lindy Chamberlain
trial were purchased by the National Museum of Australia
from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
(ABC).
A courtroom sketch artist must work quickly, particularly during arraignment hearings where a witness may appear in court for only a few minutes. A television-ready sketch can be produced in that time, and viewed on television immediately after a court proceeding is finished.
during the 17th century. Courtroom sketch artists were present for the trial of abolitionist John Brown
. By the mid-1800s there were well-known court artists and printmakers such as George Caleb Bingham
and David G. Blyth. These sketches were reproduced as engravings in the print publications of the era, long before photography was a practical option for courtroom news coverage. Mass-publication of news photographs became more widespread in the 1950s, but courts were reluctant to allow either cameras or sketch artists in courtrooms since they were viewed as a distraction. Artist Ida Libby Dengrove protested these restrictions and gradually courtrooms began allowing sketch artists to work while seated in the public gallery during trials.
Cameras were first permitted in courtrooms in the United States in the mid-1980s.Since then, demand for courtroom sketches has declined. They are still used in some jurisdictions however, when cameras are not permitted inside courtrooms.
Courtroom sketches are specifically prohibited in the courts of Hong Kong
.
In the UK, an act of Parliament (Section 41, Criminal Justice Act 1925
) prevents artists from drawing in court, although they can make notes, thus they have to do the court drawings from memory.
Court
A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
of law. To prevent distractions and preserve the privacy of those participating in court proceedings, cameras are not allowed in courtrooms in many jurisdictions. This requires news media to rely on sketch
Sketch (drawing)
A sketch is a rapidly executed freehand drawing that is not usually intended as a finished work...
artists for illustrations of the proceedings.
Creating courtroom sketches
Courtroom sketch artists attend judicial proceedings as members of the public, although they may not be permitted to actually sketch proceedings while in court. In the UK, courtroom artists are allowed to take notes, but must create their sketches from memory after leaving the courtroom.Courtroom artists can quickly capture a moment on paper and then sell their work to media outlets who would otherwise be denied a visual record of the trial. Pastels are typically used, but artists also use pencils, charcoal or other materials suitable for sketching. An established freelance artist working in a busy court system can work up to 45 hours per week. They may be paid per sketch, or on a per diem
Per diem
Per diem refers to a specific amount of money that an organization allows an individual to spend per day, to cover living and traveling expenses in connection with work...
commission. Sketches may be sold to television stations, newswire services, or newspapers, or even to lawyers or judges who may want to keep a sketch as a memento of a particular trial. Courtroom sketches may also be purchased for institutional archives, if they depict a trial of historic importance. The entire set of courtroom sketches related to the Lindy Chamberlain
Lindy Chamberlain
Alice Lynne Chamberlain-Creighton was at the centre of one of Australia's most publicised murder trials, in which she was convicted of killing her baby daughter, Azaria. The conviction was later overturned.-Early life:...
trial were purchased by the National Museum of Australia
National Museum of Australia
The National Museum of Australia was formally established by the National Museum of Australia Act 1980. The National Museum preserves and interprets Australia's social history, exploring the key issues, people and events that have shaped the nation....
from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly referred to as "the ABC" , is Australia's national public broadcaster...
(ABC).
A courtroom sketch artist must work quickly, particularly during arraignment hearings where a witness may appear in court for only a few minutes. A television-ready sketch can be produced in that time, and viewed on television immediately after a court proceeding is finished.
History
Courtroom sketches in the United States date back as far as the Salem Witch TrialsSalem witch trials
The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings before county court trials to prosecute people accused of witchcraft in the counties of Essex, Suffolk, and Middlesex in colonial Massachusetts, between February 1692 and May 1693...
during the 17th century. Courtroom sketch artists were present for the trial of abolitionist John Brown
John Brown
John Brown may refer to:* John Brown , American who led an anti-slavery revolt in Harpers Ferry, Virginia in 1859* John Brown , Scottish physician who taught that disease was caused by either excessive or inadequate stimulationJohn Brown may also refer to:- American :* John Y. Brown, Sr. , U.S...
. By the mid-1800s there were well-known court artists and printmakers such as George Caleb Bingham
George Caleb Bingham
George Caleb Bingham was an American artist whose paintings of American life in the frontier lands along the Missouri River exemplify the Luminist style. Left to languish in obscurity, Bingham's work was rediscovered in the 1930s...
and David G. Blyth. These sketches were reproduced as engravings in the print publications of the era, long before photography was a practical option for courtroom news coverage. Mass-publication of news photographs became more widespread in the 1950s, but courts were reluctant to allow either cameras or sketch artists in courtrooms since they were viewed as a distraction. Artist Ida Libby Dengrove protested these restrictions and gradually courtrooms began allowing sketch artists to work while seated in the public gallery during trials.
Cameras were first permitted in courtrooms in the United States in the mid-1980s.Since then, demand for courtroom sketches has declined. They are still used in some jurisdictions however, when cameras are not permitted inside courtrooms.
Courtroom sketches are specifically prohibited in the courts of Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
In the UK, an act of Parliament (Section 41, Criminal Justice Act 1925
Criminal Justice Act 1925
The Criminal Justice Act 1925 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Most of it has been repealed.Section 36 of the Act makes it an offence to make a false statement to obtain a passport. The maximum sentence is two years....
) prevents artists from drawing in court, although they can make notes, thus they have to do the court drawings from memory.