Compelling Interest Must Justify Closure

The court must determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether the Territory's legitimate concern for the victim's well-being necessitates closure of court proceedings as provided for in §§ 91.01, 91.02 and 91.03 of this Chapter. In accommodating the Territory’s interest for closure of court proceedings, the court shall further determine if such accommodation requires the closure or all proceedings or only portions of the proceedings. The court may, in consideration of accommodating the Territory’s interest for closure of court proceedings, deny access to the transcript, court personnel, or any other possible source that could provide an account of the victim's testimony during such time the order of closure was in effect. The court may, in consideration of accommodating the Territory’s interest for closure of court proceedings, deny access to the victim's identity. ---------- COL 040209