California law lets judges decide whether to allow cameras in their courtrooms, according to 18 factors that balance the trial processs with public interest.
In cases where cameras are not allowed, sketch artists often bring the skills to bear on giving the public a peek at the process.
Patch recently shared the story of high school students from Moreau Catholic who edged out a rival team from American High School in Fremont to win a mock trial competition based on a case in which a make-believe mayor's son had been accused of hit & run while texting.
In the same competition student artists practiced their sketch skills.
The winning sketches above were both drawn by students at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton; the sketch on the left is the work of Jennifer Tao; Yi Yuan made the sketch on the right.
