Williamson v. Lacy
Supreme Judicial Court of Maine
On report. The case appears in the opinion. This was au action of trespass against the defendant, a trial justice for the county of Lincoln, on the ground that the plaintiff, who was a spectator at a trial before the justice was, with other spectators, ordered from the court-room and finally removed by an officer under the direction of the court, but without the use of force.
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On report. The case appears in the opinion. This was au action of trespass against the defendant, a trial justice for the county of Lincoln, on the ground that the plaintiff, who was a spectator at a trial before the justice was, with other spectators, ordered from the court-room and finally removed by an officer under the direction of the court, but without the use of force. Plea, general issue, and a brief statement of special matter of defense that said defendant, deeming it wise in the interests of justice and the proper and orderly conduct of the trial that all spectators should be…
1Opinion of the CourtPeters, C. J.
It is an undeniable proposition, to start with in this discussion, that courts of justice should be open to the public. That is the rule. History brings to us too vivid pictures of the oppressions endured by our English ancestors at *83the hands of ai’bitrary courts ever to satisfy the people of this country with courts whose doors are closed against them. They instinctively believe that it is their right to witness judicial trials and proceedings in the courts.
Tt is true that courts have discretionary powers to be exercised in such a matter,— but not an unlimited discretion. The almost…
2Cited by16 opinions
- In Re OliverSupreme Court of the United States · 1948
- Yaselli v. GoffCourt of Appeals for the Second Circuit · 1926
- State v. KeelerMontana Supreme Court · 1916
- State v. OsborneOregon Supreme Court · 1909
- Richards v. EllisSupreme Judicial Court of Maine · 1967
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