New York Court of Appeals

In the Matter of United Press Associations, Appellants, Against Francis L. Valente

December 31, 1954308 N.Y. 71

Summary

The Court affirmed the Appellate Division, holding that the statutory provisions do not grant members of the public an enforceable right to demand a public trial and that the press associations lacked standing to challenge Judge Valente's exclusion order. The dissent argued for a distinct public right, while a concurrence emphasized the plain meaning of the statute.