Crime Reporting in the Court. Media Law Week 2.

In this weeks lecture we discussed reporting crime in the court. There are certain risks when it comes to reporting crime in the court, such as:

Prejudice
Prejudice is when facts and/or opinions are published when the may have an effect on the case in question. If this happens, you may be guilty of:

Contempt
It is an offence to publish any information that may change ones view of the accused, therefore not allowing them the right of fair trial.


Detention without charge
A police officer has the ability to hold a suspect for 24 hours. A Senior Officer can extend this period by 12 hours and, if necessary, a magistrate can extend this period by 36 hours.

What can be written in pre-trial reports:

• The name, age, address and occupation of the defendant.
• The charge against them.
• The name of the court.
• The name of the magistrate.
• The names of solicitors and barristers.
• Arrangements with the defendant's bail.
• Whether or not legal aid was granted. 

Categories of offence

• Indictable cases can give a sentence of 5+ years
• an Either-Way case can go to a Crown Court of Magistrates
• A Summary is handled at a Magistrates court.

What can a magistrate do?

Magistrates can give a six month jail sentence or a fine of up to £5000. They can also give ASBOs, community sentences, conditional discharges and suspend sentences.

The key stages of a trial

1. Prosecution opens
2. Key prosecution witness
3. Defence opens
4. Key Defence witness
5. Judge summary
6. Jury leave, deliberate
7. Verdict
8. Sentencing

RECOGNISE RISK
IF IN DOUBT, LEAVE IT OUT.