The army of everyday New Yorkers summoned to Manhattan Criminal Court at 100 Centre Street for possible jury duty in the matter of People v. Donald Trump represents one of democracy’s miracles: the fact that we empower ordinary citizens to pass judgment on a rich politician who, not long ago, was the most powerful man in the world.

But for the lesson to succeed, and for Donald Trump to get the fair trial he deserves, New York’s institutions — the courts and the media especially — must rise to the occasion by performing at a higher than normal level of skill, energy, and professionalism. And that means fast-tracking some basic improvements to a court system that is confusing, creaky, inefficient, and too insulated from public scrutiny.

Unlike nearly every other state, New York does not allow cameras in the courtroom and also prohibits audio recordings of witness testimony and other proceedings. A brief, decade-long experiment with video recordings ordered by state lawmakers ended in 1997; the Legislature let the law lapse and has failed to revisit the issue. In an era when even the U.S. Supreme Court streams live audio of oral arguments, New York is way behind the times; the official court rules for coverage of People v. Trump allows for about 60 journalists (including two sketch artists) to witness the proceedings........

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