globe newspaper superior argued march decided june appellee massachusetts trial relying massachusetts statute providing exclusion general public trials specified sexual offenses involving victim age ordered exclusion press public courtroom trial defendant charged rape three minor girls appellant newspaper publisher challenged exclusion order ultimately trial resulted defendant acquittal massachusetts judicial construed massachusetts statute requiring circumstances exclusion press public testimony minor victim trial held fact exclusion order expired completion trial defendant acquitted render controversy moot within meaning art iii controversy capable repetition yet evading review since reasonably assumed appellant someday subjected another order relying massachusetts statute since criminal trials typically short duration pp massachusetts statute construed massachusetts judicial violates first amendment applied fourteenth amendment pp extent first amendment embraces right access criminal trials ensure constitutionally protected discussion governmental affairs informed one right access criminal trials particular properly afforded protection first amendment trials historically open press public right access plays particularly significant role functioning judicial process government whole pp right access criminal trials absolute circumstances press public barred limited state must show denial right necessitated compelling governmental interest narrowly tailored serve interest pp massachusetts statute justified basis either state interest protecting minor victims sex crimes trauma embarrassment interest encouraging victims come forward testify truthful credible manner pp compelling first interest justify mandatory closure rule interest well served requiring trial determine basis whether state legitimate concern minor victim necessitates closure approach ensures constitutional right press public gain access criminal trials restricted except necessary protect state interest pp second asserted interest speculative empirical terms also open serious question matter logic common sense although statute construed bar press public courtroom minor sex victim testimony press denied access transcript personnel source provide account testimony thus statute prevent press publicizing substance testimony well victim identity pp brennan delivered opinion white marshall blackmun powell joined filed opinion concurring judgment post burger filed dissenting opinion rehnquist joined post stevens filed dissenting opinion post james mchugh argued cause filed briefs appellant mitchell sikora assistant attorney general massachusetts argued cause appellee brief francis bellotti attorney general gerald caruso alan sherr assistant attorneys general briefs amici curiae urging reversal filed carl ramey roger wollenberg timothy dyk ralph goldberg erwin krasnow laurent scharff carol weisman american broadcasting et al james spaniolo gary gerlach robert lobdell daniel feldman robert sack cameron devore andrew hughes samuel klein alan peterson bruce sanford laurent scharff terry maguire richard schmidt arthur sackler peter gould theodore sherbow alexander wellford james henderson david olive conrad shumadine lawrence gunnels miami herald publishing et al howard monderer national broadcasting barrett prettyman reporters committee freedom press justice brennan delivered opinion section chapter massachusetts general laws construed massachusetts judicial requires trial judges trials specified sexual offenses involving victim age exclude press general public courtroom testimony victim question presented whether statute thus construed violates first amendment applied fourteenth amendment case began appellant globe newspaper globe unsuccessfully attempted gain access rape trial conducted superior county norfolk commonwealth massachusetts criminal defendant trial charged forcible rape forced unnatural rape three girls minors time trial two years age one april hearings several preliminary motions trial judge ordered courtroom closed trial began globe moved revoke closure order hold hearings future orders permit appellant intervene limited purpose asserting rights access trial hearings related preliminary motions app trial denied globe motions relying mass laws ch west ordered exclusion press general public courtroom trial defendant immediately objected exclusion order prosecution stated purposes record order issued motion request commonwealth app within hours issued exclusion order globe sought injunctive relief justice judicial massachusetts next day justice conducted hearing commonwealth behalf victims waived whatever rights might exclude press nevertheless globe request relief denied globe appealed full rape trial proceeded defendant acquitted nine months conclusion criminal trial judicial issued judgment dismissing globe appeal although held case rendered moot completion trial nevertheless stated proceed merits issues raised globe significant troublesome capable repetition yet evading review globe newspaper superior mass quoting southern pacific terminal icc statutory matter agreed globe require exclusion press entire criminal trial provision designed determined encourage young victims sexual offenses come forward come forward statute designed preserve ability testify protecting undue psychological harm trial relying twin purposes concluded required closure trials testimony minor victims portions trials closure matter within judge sound discretion pass globe contentions right attend entire criminal trial first sixth amendments noting await decision pending richmond newspapers virginia globe appealed following decision richmond newspapers vacated judgment judicial remanded case consideration light decision globe newspaper superior remand judicial adhering earlier construction considered whether decision richmond newspapers required invalidation mandatory closure rule mass analyzing first amendment issue recognized unbroken tradition openness criminal trials discerned least one notable exception tradition cases involving sexual assaults portions trials closed segments public even victim adult also emphasized mandatory closure rule furthered genuine state interests identified earlier decision underlying statutory provision interests stated defeated determination used acknowledging mandatory closure requirement results temporary diminution public knowledge trials think richmond newspapers require invalidation requirement given statute narrow scope area traditional sensitivity needs victims accordingly dismissed globe appeal globe sought review noted probable jurisdiction reasons follow reverse hold mandatory closure rule contained violates first amendment ii globe challenges portion trial order approved judicial massachusetts holds requires circumstances exclusion press general public testimony minor victim trial entire order expired completion rape trial defendant acquitted must consider outset whether live controversy remains art iii constitution jurisdiction extends actual cases controversies nebraska press assn stuart recognized however jurisdiction necessarily defeated simply order attacked expired underlying dispute parties one capable repetition yet evading review quoting southern pacific terminal icc controversy parties case indeed capable repetition yet evading review reasonably assumed globe publisher newspaper serving boston metropolitan area someday subjected another order relying mandatory closure rule see gannett depasquale richmond newspapers virginia plurality opinion criminal trials typically short duration order likely evade review least considered plenary review nebraska press assn stuart supra therefore conclude controversy us moot within meaning art iii turn merits iii recent decision richmond newspapers firmly established first time press general public constitutional right access criminal trials although opinion case seven justices recognized right access embodied first amendment applied fourteenth amendment plurality opinion brennan concurring judgment stewart concurring judgment blackmun concurring judgment course right access criminal trials explicitly mentioned terms first amendment long eschewed narrow literal conception amendment terms naacp button framers concerned broad principles wrote background shared values practices first amendment thus broad enough encompass rights unambiguously enumerated terms amendment nonetheless necessary enjoyment first amendment rights richmond newspapers virginia plurality opinion citing cases brennan concurring judgment underlying first amendment right access criminal trials common understanding major purpose amendment protect free discussion governmental affairs mills alabama offering protection first amendment serves ensure individual citizen effectively participate contribute republican system see thornhill alabama richmond newspapers virginia brennan concurring judgment see also plurality opinion expressly guaranteed freedoms first amendment share common core purpose assuring freedom communication matters relating functioning government thus extent first amendment embraces right access criminal trials ensure constitutionally protected discussion governmental affairs informed one two features criminal justice system emphasized various opinions richmond newspapers together serve explain right access criminal trials particular properly afforded protection first amendment first criminal trial historically open press general public time organic laws adopted criminal trials england long presumptively open richmond newspapers virginia supra plurality opinion since time presumption openness remained secure indeed time decision oliver presumption solidly grounded unable find single instance criminal trial conducted camera federal state municipal history country omitted uniform rule openness viewed significant constitutional terms constitution carries gloss history also tradition accessibility implies favorable judgment experience richmond newspapers virginia supra brennan concurring judgment second right access criminal trials plays particularly significant role functioning judicial process government whole public scrutiny criminal trial enhances quality safeguards integrity factfinding process benefits defendant society whole moreover public access criminal trial fosters appearance fairness thereby heightening public respect judicial process broadest terms public access criminal trials permits public participate serve check upon judicial process essential component structure sum institutional value open criminal trial recognized logic experience although right access criminal trials constitutional stature absolute see richmond newspapers virginia supra plurality opinion nebraska press assn stuart circumstances press public barred criminal trial limited state justification denying access must weighty one present case state attempts deny right access order inhibit disclosure sensitive information must shown denial necessitated compelling governmental interest narrowly tailored serve interest see brown hartlage smith daily mail publishing naacp button consider state interests advanced support massachusetts mandatory rule barring press public access criminal trials testimony minor victims iv state interests asserted support though articulated various ways reducible two protection minor victims sex crimes trauma embarrassment encouragement victims come forward testify truthful credible manner consider interests turn agree appellee first interest safeguarding physical psychological minor compelling one compelling interest justify mandatory closure rule clear circumstances particular case may affect significance interest trial determine basis whether closure necessary protect welfare minor victim among factors weighed minor victim age psychological maturity understanding nature crime desires victim interests parents relatives section contrast requires closure even victim seek exclusion press general public suffer injury presence case us example names minor victims already public record record indicates victims may willing testify despite presence press trial permitted exercise discretion closure might well deemed unnecessary short viewed narrowly tailored means accommodating state asserted interest interest served well requiring trial determine basis whether state legitimate concern minor victim necessitates closure approach ensures constitutional right press public gain access criminal trials restricted except necessary protect state interest justified basis commonwealth second asserted interest encouragement minor victims sex crimes come forward provide accurate testimony commonwealth offered empirical support claim rule automatic closure contained lead increase number minor sex victims coming forward cooperating state authorities claim speculative empirical terms also open serious question matter logic common sense although bars press general public courtroom testimony minor sex victims press denied access transcript personnel possible source provide account minor victim testimony thus prevent press publicizing substance minor victim testimony well identity commonwealth interest encouraging minor victims come forward depends keeping matters secret hardly advances interest effective manner even effectively advanced state interest doubtful interest sufficient overcome constitutional attack interest relied support array mandatory closure rules designed encourage victims come forward surely suggested minor victims sex crimes crime victims publicity attendant criminal trials reluctant come forward testify state argument based interest therefore proves much runs contrary foundation right access recognized richmond newspapers namely presumption openness inheres nature criminal trial system justice plurality opinion foregoing reasons hold construed massachusetts judicial violates first amendment constitution accordingly judgment massachusetts judicial reversed footnotes trial complaint indictment rape incest carnal abuse crime involving sex minor eighteen years age person upon crime alleged committed presiding justice shall exclude general public room admitting persons may direct interest case caused sign marked closed placed courtroom door personnel turned away people seeking entry globe newspaper superior mass omitted refused permit globe file motion intervene explicitly stated act globe motions app globe request contained petition extraordinary relief filed pursuant mass laws ch west supp commonwealth representative stated ur position trial judge circumstances trial judge defendant asserting right constitutional public trial may consider outweighing otherwise legitimate statutory interests particularly commonwealth acts behalf victims literally behalf victims sense consulted fully prosecutor case commonwealth waives whatever rights may exclude press app justice quirico dissented view mandatory closure rule limited testimony minor victims applicable entire trial noted first amendment issue arising closure trial capable repetition yet evading review quoting southern pacific terminal icc contrast view taken prior opinion supra held case moot possibility repetition without opportunity review found unnecessary consider globe argument mandatory closure rule violated sixth amendment rights criminal defendant acquitted rape trial sixth amendment rights stated personal rights least context case asserted original criminal defendant omitted justice wilkins filed concurring opinion expressed concern whether statute constitutionally require closure without specific findings judge closing justified overriding countervailing interests commonwealth therefore occasion consider globe additional argument provision violates sixth amendment justice powell took part consideration decision richmond newspapers indicated previously concurring opinion gannett depasquale viewed first amendment conferring press right access criminal trials congress shall make law respecting establishment religion prohibiting free exercise thereof abridging freedom speech press right people peaceably assemble petition government redress grievances amdt appellee argues criminal trials always open press general public testimony minor sex victims brief appellee even appellee correct regard see gannett depasquale supra blackmun concurring part dissenting part argument unavailing richmond newspapers discerned first amendment right access criminal trials based part recognition general matter criminal trials long presumptively open whether first amendment right access criminal trials restricted context particular criminal trial murder trial setting dispute richmond newspapers rape trial depends historical openness type criminal trial rather state interests assertedly supporting restriction see part infra see richmond newspapers virginia plurality opinion brennan concurring judgment gannett depasquale blackmun concurring part dissenting part see levine oliver richmond newspapers virginia plurality opinion brennan concurring judgment gannett depasquale supra blackmun concurring part dissenting part see richmond newspapers virginia plurality opinion brennan concurring judgment gannett depasquale burger concurring blackmun concurring part dissenting part course limitations right access resemble time place manner restrictions protected speech see young american mini theatres subjected strict scrutiny see richmond newspapers virginia plurality opinion brennan concurring judgment stewart concurring judgment opinion following remand judicial massachusetts described interests following terms encourage minor victims come forward institute complaints give testimony protect minor victims certain sex crimes public degradation humiliation demoralization psychological damage enhance likelihood credible testimony minors free confusion fright embellishment promote sound orderly administration justice preserve evidence obtain convictions important note context measure state interest lies extent minor victims injured testifying rather incremental injury suffered testifying presence press general public indeed plurality opinion richmond newspapers suggested individualized determinations always required right access may denied absent overriding interest articulated findings trial criminal case must open public omitted emphasis added minor victim wanted public know precisely heinous crime defendant committed imputed legislative justifications requiring closing trial victim testimony part least inapplicable wilkins concurring appears statutory constitutional provisions allow trial judge close criminal trial testimony minor victim state mandatory provision excluding press general public testimony see code rule crim proc code la rev stat ann west miss art rev stat ann supp jud law mckinney stat supp cent code utah code ann stat tit stat see also stat providing mandatory exclusion general public press testimony minor victims course intimate view regarding constitutionality state statutes held government may impose sanctions publication names rape victims lawfully obtained public record cox broadcasting cohn see also smith daily mail publishing see supra course approach meaningful representatives press general public must given opportunity heard question exclusion gannett depasquale powell concurring mean however purposes inquiry protect minor victim denying representatives opportunity confront victim denying access sensitive details concerning victim victim future testimony discretion consistent traditional authority trial judges conduct camera conferences see richmond newspapers virginia supra brennan concurring judgment without trial discretion state interest safeguarding welfare minor victim determined individual case merit form closure defeated ever brought bear extent suggested quite apart encouraging minor victims testify improves quality credibility testimony suggestion also speculative closure may effect particular cases recognized general matter penness proceedings may improve quality testimony gannett depasquale supra emphasis added absence showing closure improve quality testimony minor sex victims state interest certainly justify mandatory closure rule emphasize holding narrow one rule mandatory closure respecting testimony minor sex victims constitutionally infirm individual cases appropriate circumstances first amendment necessarily stand bar exclusion courtroom press general public testimony minor victims mandatory rule requiring particularized determinations individual cases unconstitutional justice concurring judgment richmond newspapers virginia held first amendment protects right press public attend criminal trials interpret decision shelter every right necessary enjoyment first amendment rights ante instead richmond newspapers rests upon long history open criminal trials special value public accused openness plurality opinion richmond newspapers stresses difficult single aspect government higher concern importance people manner criminal trials conducted thus interpret neither richmond newspapers decision today carry implications outside context criminal trials case however involve criminal trial moreover involves statute mandating automatic exclusion public certain testimony explains massachusetts demonstrated interest weighty enough justify application automatic bar cases even victim defendant prosecutor objection open trial accordingly concur judgment chief justice burger justice rehnquist joins dissenting historically society gone great lengths protect minors charged crime particularly prohibiting release names offenders barring press public juvenile proceedings sealing records proceedings yet today holds unconstitutional state statute designed protect accused minor victims sex crimes advances disturbing paradox although permitted example mandate closure proceedings order protect charged rape permitted require closing part criminal proceedings order protect innocent child raped otherwise sexually abused tried make holding narrow one disturbing authority state legislatures enact narrowly drawn statutes giving trial judges discretion exclude public press courtroom minor victim testimony ante also read opinion foreclosing state statute mandates closure except cases victim agrees testify open decision nevertheless gross invasion state authority state duty protect citizens case minor victims crime agree expansive interpretation decision richmond newspapers virginia cavalier rejection serious interests supporting massachusetts mandatory closure rule accordingly dissent seems read decision richmond newspapers supra spelling first amendment right access aspects criminal trials circumstances ante plainly incorrect richmond newspapers examined right access places traditionally open public concluded criminal trials generally open public throughout country history even england opinions majority justices emphasized historical tradition open criminal trials brennan concurring judgment stewart concurring judgment blackmun concurring judgment proper mode analysis followed determining whether right access emphasized justice brennan previously noted resolution first amendment public access claims individual cases must strongly influenced weight historical practice assessment specific structural value public access circumstances misrepresent historical record state unbroken uncontradicted history open proceedings cases involving sexual abuse minors richmond newspapers supra absent history openness positions justices joining reversal richmond newspapers give support proposition closure proceedings testimony minor victim violates first amendment ii assert first amendment right discerns richmond newspapers absolute instead holds state attempts deny right access order inhibit disclosure sensitive information must shown denial necessitated compelling governmental interest narrowly tailored serve interest ante wooden application rigid standard asserts case inappropriate commonwealth denied public media access information takes place trial acknowledges massachusetts deny press public access trial transcript sources information victim testimony even victim identity part public record although name accused rapist generally matter public record mass laws ch west supp commonwealth deny access information nothing whatever inhibit disclosure case quite unlike others held unconstitutional state laws prevent dissemination information public discussion ideas see brown hartlage smith daily mail publishing landmark communications virginia nebraska press assn stuart cox broadcasting cohen naacp button purpose commonwealth enacting give assurance parents minors moderate limited protection trauma embarrassment humiliation reveal intimate details sexual assault front large group unfamiliar spectators perhaps television audience lower barriers reporting crimes might come victim dread public testimony globe newspaper superior mass mass neither purpose law effect primarily deny press public access information verbatim transcript made available public media may used without limit therefore need examine whether restrictions imposed reasonable whether interests commonwealth override limited incidental effects law first amendment rights see richmond newspapers plurality opinion stewart concurring judgment pell procunier saxbe washington post cox new hampshire obligation case balance competing interests interests media instant access interest state protecting child rape victims trauma public testimony half public testimony include television coverage iii seems beyond doubt considering minimal impact law first amendment rights overriding weight commonwealth interest protecting child rape victims massachusetts law unconstitutional acknowledges press public prompt full access victim testimony additional interest actually present testimony minimal denying power protect children admits commonwealth interest protecting victimized child compelling interest ante meets test richmond newspapers supra law need precisely tailored long state interest overrides law impact first amendment rights restrictions imposed interest certainly law excludes press public actual testimony child victim sex crime rationally serves commonwealth overriding interest protecting child severe possibly permanent psychological damage disputed injury reality law also seems rational response undisputed problem underreporting rapes sexual offenses rejects commonwealth argument justified interest encouraging minors report sex crimes finding claim speculative empirical terms open serious question matter logic common sense ante basis whatever cavalier disregard reality human experience makes sense criticize commonwealth failure offer empirical data support rule allowing state experimentation may empirical evidence produced one happy incidents federal system single courageous state may citizens choose serve laboratory try novel social economic experiments without risk rest country new state ice liebmann brandeis dissenting see also chandler florida reeves stake whalen roe also concludes commonwealth assertion law might reduce underreporting sexual offenses fails matter logic common sense conclusion based misperception commonwealth argument overly narrow view protection statute seeks afford young victims apparently believes statute prevent significant trauma embarrassment humiliation part victim simply press prevented discovering publicizing identity victim substance victim testimony ante section intended preserve confidentiality prevent risk severe psychological damage caused relate details crime front crowd inevitably include voyeuristic strangers crowd may expanded include live television audience returns evening news ordeal difficult adult child experience devastating leave permanent scars commonwealth interests clearly furthered mandatory nature closure statute certainly law discretionary judges exercise discretion soundly avoid unnecessary harm child victims families entitled assurance protection legislature act irrationally deciding leave closure determination idiosyncracies individual judges subject pressures available media victim might well experience considerable distress prior appearance wondering absence statutory protection whether public testimony required mere possibility public testimony may cause parents children decide report heinous crimes psychologists report courtroom experience cases almost traumatic crime state certainly able take whatever reasonable steps believes necessary reduce trauma furthermore expect victims parents aware nuances state law person sees newspaper perhaps even television reports minor victim testimony may well deterred reporting crime belief public testimony required within power state provide mandatory closure alleviate understandable fears encourage reporting crimes iv course presumption openness inheres nature criminal trial system justice consistently emphasized presumption absolute irrebuttable majority justices richmond newspapers acknowledged closure might permitted certain circumstances justice stewart separate opinion pointedly recognized exclusion public might justified protect sensibilities youthful prosecution witness criminal trial rape massachusetts statute relatively minor incidental impact first amendment rights gives effect overriding state interest protecting child rape victims paradoxically today denies victims kind protection routinely given juveniles commit crimes many find difficult reconcile concern often expressed rights accused callous indifference exhibited today children suffered trauma rape sexual abuse denied modest protection massachusetts legislature provided certainly said victims case consented testifying open lobby conference prior trial prosecutor informed trial judge interviewed victims concerned publicity agree press attendance certain guarantees given three victims indicated concerns basically privacy concerns difficulty obtaining kind guarantee press print names go school personal data take pictures attempt interview concerns come privacy interests well fact grandparents involved couple victims know happened find reading paper everyone concerned happen stated possible obtain guarantee information used object press included explained difficult guarantee obtain issue conditional order anything like wanted put record concerns afraid app cf stamicarbon american cyanamid cases cited therein see ala art vi repealed stat code miss art rev stat ann supp jud law mckinney stat supp utah code ann hard find limiting principle analysis reasoning might require hearing trial judge hold bench conference camera proceedings discussion traumatic effect proceedings minor rape victims see hilberman rape victim katz mazur understanding rape victim synthesis research findings studies cited therein one commentator put especially cases involving minors courts stress serious embarrassment shame victim forced testify sexual acts whose intimate life revealed detail crowd idly curious berger man trial woman tribulation rape cases courtroom colum rev victim interest avoiding humiliation testifying open thus quite separate interest preventing public learning crime ironic emphasizes failure commonwealth seal trial transcript bar disclosure victim identity implies state law severely encroaching upon interests press public upheld see hilberman supra holmstrom burgess victim rape institutional reactions berger supra libai protection child victim sexual offense criminal justice system wayne rev holmstrom burgess report nearly half adult rape victims disturbed public setting trials certainly impact children must greater see bohmer blumberg twice traumatized rape victim judicature katz mazur supra holmstrom burgess supra hilberman supra berger supra see also white concurring stevens concurring brennan concurring judgment justice stevens dissenting duration criminal trial generally shorter time takes jurisdiction invoked judgment merits announced result power review pretrial midtrial orders implicating freedom press rested exception mootness doctrine orders capable repetition yet evading review see richmond newspapers virginia gannett depasquale nebraska press assn stuart today expands exception order pass constitutionality statute presently construed never applied live controversy case unlike three cases cited governing state law materially changed trial order expired terms consequently possibility complaining party subject action gannett depasquale supra quoting weinstein bradford fact massachusetts judicial narrowly construed upheld abstract state statute trial read mandate closure entire trial bears review function respects recently recognized first amendment right access newsworthy matter see ante richmond newspapers virginia supra stevens concurring developing constitutional jurisprudence special importance deciding cases concrete facts cf minnick california dept corrections raines specific controversies decide right access criminal trials accommodated societal interests protection victims defendants advisory opinion announces today sheds virtually light rights accommodated question whether entertain facial attack statute bears right access answered simply noting right source first amendment see bates state bar arizona young american mini theatres right access plainly coextensive right expression vindicated nebraska press supra statutes bear right access deter protected activity way laws sometimes interfere right expression follow norm reviewing statutes applied rather face clear ever need confront question whether mandatory statute unconstitutional order hypothesized judicial instead trial order actually entered case press given prompt access transcript testimony minor victims appellant might even appealed least press prosecutor defense counsel argued constitutionality order context facts relevant order different controversy framed appellate review future cases trial courts may voluntarily follow direction justice wilkins make specific findings demonstrating compelling state interest supporting mandated order see mass concurring opinion record future cases may plainly disclose justification partial closure consider acceptable thus aside illumination provided live controversies decision review orders actually entered pursuant massachusetts statute advance policy avoiding premature unnecessary adjudication constitutional questions least conceivable order may ever justified conclusion legislature mandatory closure trial testimony minor victim sex crime necessary serve important state interests hold record closure order limited testimony minor victims unconstitutional rather holds ever order entered must supported adequate findings normally constitutional deficiency absence findings support trial order either remand factfinding examine record deciding whether order measured constitutional standards infeasibility course action since order entered case since order entered expired demonstrates comment first amendment issues implicated massachusetts statute advisory hypothetical best premature dismiss appeal example even though reporter may right access judge conference surely follow judge enjoin publication reporter might learned conference fundamental principle constitutional adjudication face constitutional questions avoid possible lovett frankfurter concurring capable repetition yet evading review exception mootness doctrine generally compatible settled policy avoiding premature adjudication constitutional questions see franks bowman transportation order capable repetition yet evading review generally less ripe review first time presented subsequent occasions order presented review first time formulated abstract ruling judicial case policy requires defer review order entered live controversy