Eagle-Tribune Publishing Co. v. Clerk-Magistrate of the Lawrence Division of the District Court Department

In this appeal, we consider whether there exists under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution a *648right of public access to “show cause” hearings that precede the initiation of criminal proceedings in certain cases. We conclude that there is not.2

Background. For purposes of the present appeal, the facts are not in dispute. In October, 2005, a twenty year old woman was stabbed at a nightclub in Lawrence, after she was allegedly served alcohol despite being under the legal drinking age. This incident attracted significant publicity. Soon after, the Lawrence police department filed…