AP joins organizations seeking court access in New Jersey high school football hazing case

The Associated Press has joined other media organizations requesting access to juvenile court hearings for seven New Jersey high school students charged in a football hazing investigation.

The AP joined with NJ Advance Media, Gannett New Jersey Newspapers and ABC Inc. in a motion filed Friday.

Seven members of the Sayreville War Memorial High School team were charged Oct. 10 with crimes ranging from hazing to aggravated sexual assault. The teenagers are charged as juveniles. Proceedings are being held in Family Court.

Juvenile proceedings generally are closed to the press unless media outlets or others seek access. The media organizations say previous cases show state courts favor increased public access to juvenile proceedings unless the juvenile can provide evidence there is a substantial likelihood of specific harm.