Are Courtrooms Really Open to the Public? | Lawyer Talk Q&A

Lawyer Talk: Off the Record

Ever wondered if you can sit in on a jury trial?

I get asked this question all the time: Can you just walk into a courtroom and watch a jury trial, especially if it’s your loved one on trial?

Drawing from my experience as a criminal defense attorney, I break down the constitutional rights that guarantee public trials, share some stories from my own time in court, and talk about the rare instances where a courtroom might be closed to the public.

Whether you’re hoping to support someone you care about, curious about courtroom proceedings, or simply interested in how the justice system works behind the scenes, I’ll walk you through what you can expect, what makes public trials so important, and even offer a bit of encouragement if you’ve never set foot in a courthouse before.

I shed some light on the process, the surprises you might encounter, and why everyone—yes, even you—has the right to see justice in action.

Got a question you want answered on the podcast? Call 614-859-2119 and leave us a voicemail. Steve will answer your question on the next podcast!

Submit your questions to www.lawyertalkpodcast.com.

Recorded at Channel 511.

Stephen E. Palmer, Esq. has been practicing criminal defense almost exclusively since 1995. He has represented people in federal, state, and local courts in Ohio and elsewhere.

Though he focuses on all areas of criminal defense, he particularly enjoys complex cases in state and federal courts.

He has unique experience handling and assembling top defense teams of attorneys and experts in cases involving allegations of child abuse (false sexual allegations, false physical abuse allegations), complex scientific cases involving allegations of DUI and vehicular homicide cases with blood alcohol tests, and any other criminal cases that demand jury trial experience.

Steve has unique experience handling numerous high-publicity cases that have garnered national attention.

For more information about Steve and his law firm, visit Palmer Legal Defense.

Copyright 2025 Stephen E. Palmer - Attorney At Law

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Circle 270 Media Podcast Consultants

Circle 270 Media® is a podcast consulting firm based in Columbus, Ohio, specializing in helping businesses develop, launch, and optimize podcasts as part of their marketing strategy. The firm emphasizes the importance of storytelling through podcasting to differentiate businesses and engage with their audiences effectively. www.circle270media.com