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Court reporting

  • 17-01-2012 10:58pm
    #1
    Stephen Miller
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭


    Hi all, I've done a media course and would ultimately like to cover court cases amongst other things. I've downloaded the Legal diary from Courts.ie but you get no details of the cases - just DPP V. Joe Bloggs.
    Can anyone tell me how to find the details of the cases i.e. what the charge is, so as to find the ones that are of interest? Thanks.


Comments

  • #2
    tommy21
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,419 ✭✭✭tommy21


    Stephen Miller wrote: »
    Hi all, I've done a media course and would ultimately like to cover court cases amongst other things. I've downloaded the Legal diary from Courts.ie but you get no details of the cases - just DPP V. Joe Bloggs.
    Can anyone tell me how to find the details of the cases i.e. what the charge is, so as to find the ones that are of interest? Thanks.

    You would want to do more than a media course (what do you mean by this anyway, a journalism specific course?) - court reporting is a minefield if you are not diligent and on-the-ball 100% of the time. Your best bet is to try and get an introduction (maybe through your course co-ordinator if they are worth their salt) to an actual court reporter, failing that ring up any of the main ones that you see in newspapers and ask them would they mind meeting, that you will treat them to coffee/lunch etc they love that! Or hang around the press box after court sessions. This will work better if they've seen you around court a few times taking notes).

    Often the reporters themselves will wander from court to court to hear if any interesting cases on (bar the biggies like murders etc. which you will get from mainstream newspapers or Garda contacts). Your best bet is to actually just sit and watch, then read how it is reported in the following day's paper.

    However this is no substitute for someone taking you under their wing to show you the ropes. To do otherwise (if you can actually get a newspaper to print your copy) is to risk the wrath of a judge if you are wrong on fact or don't know what you are doing.

    In terms of competition, city centre courts are normally sown up. Here in Cork for instance there are essentially two court reporters who cover pretty much everything for two main newspapers. Often out in the county courts however, there is nobody - this is how you can pick up stories and make a name for yourself.


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