not itself a sufficient reason to open a show cause hearing to the public. On the other hand: “Where an incident has already attracted public attention prior to a show cause hearing, the interest in shielding the participants from publicity is necessarily diminished, while the public’s legitimate interest in access is correspondingly stronger. “In deciding whether to allow access to a particular show cause hearing, clerk-magistrates should consider not only the potential drawbacks of public access, but its considerable benefits: ‘It is desirable that [judicial proceedings] should take place under the public eye . . . .’ “The transparency that open proceedings afford may be especially important if a well-publicized show cause hearing results in a decision not to bring criminal charges, thereby ending the matter. In such cases, the public may question whether justice has been done behind the closed doors of the hearing room. This is not to say that every case that may attract public attention necessarily requires a public show cause hearing . . . .” Eagle-Tribune Pub. Co., 448 Mass. at 656-657, 863 N.E.2d at 527 (internal citations omitted). See also George W. Prescott Pub. Co. v. Register of Probate for Norfolk County, 395 Mass. 274, 277, 479 N.E.2d 658, 662 (1985) (strong public interest normally attends nonfrivolous accusations of misconduct in public office). Since the exclusion of the public is for the benefit of the accused, if the accused wishes the hearing to be open to the public, normally it should be allowed. When there is a request that the public be permitted to attend, the Supreme Judicial Court has encouraged magistrates to make a written record of the reasons for their decision on that request. Eagle-Tribune Pub. Co., 448 Mass. at 657 n.17, 863 N.E.2d at 527 n.17. Although their constitutionality is now in some doubt, statutes which bear on the right to a public trial may provide some guidance to a magistrate who is asked to conduct a public show cause hearing. See G.L. c. 278, §§ 16A (permitting closure of sex offense trial where victim is a minor); 16B (permitting closure of criminal trial involving husband and wife); 16C (permitting closure of trial for incest or rape); and § 16D (providing guidelines for insulating a child victim of sex offense from the public and defendant during his or her testimony). In extraordinary cases, relief from a magistrate’s decision as to public access may be sought from a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court under G.L. c. 211, § 3. Eagle-Tribune Pub. Co., 448 Mass. at 657, 863 N.E.2d at 527. When a show cause hearing is open to the public, members of the press too may attend. As to the use of cameras in a show cause hearing that is open to the public, see Supreme Judicial Court Rule 1:10. See Standard 5:02 regarding public access to court records of applications for complaint. WHEN THE ACCUSED HAS NOT BEEN ARRESTED 42