Criminal offences and newspapers

sparkling sea

Just wondering if anyone could tell me; why would the name of someone who's case is being referred from the district court to the circuit court not be published in the local papers?

Is there ever a legal reason for this?

ResearchWill

sparkling sea wrote: »

Just wondering if anyone could tell me; why would the name of someone who's case is being referred from the district court to the circuit court not be published in the local papers?

Is there ever a legal reason for this?

Yes a Court can make a order stopping reporting. It is usually done Ito protect the identity of victims.

sparkling sea

Thanks for the speedy reply

coylemj

ResearchWill wrote: »

Yes a Court can make a order stopping reporting. It is usually done Ito protect the identity of victims.

Or in any kind of criminal case, if the accused is below a certain age. I think it's either 17 or 18.

NoQuarter

There is also the simple reason that the story is just not big enough or the papers might well be waiting for the Circuit Court case itself.

coylemj

NoQuarter wrote: »

There is also the simple reason that the story is just not big enough or the papers might well be waiting for the Circuit Court case itself.

I think if you read the OP again, he was referring to the fact that the name was not published, not that the case itself wasn't reported.

sparkling sea

The case was reported on and referred to CC; the accussed is over 18. The charges would fall under S6. of CLA 2007 and it doesn't involve protecting the identity of the victims.

I know there is a media code of practice but I wouldn't have thought it would apply here. I could be wrong though.

Greenmachine

That age thing is bull****. I know it is the reality but I disagree with it entirely.

NoQuarter

sparkling sea wrote: »

The case was reported on and referred to CC; the accussed is over 18. The charges would fall under S6. of CLA 2007 and it doesn't involve protecting the identity of the victims.

I know there is a media code of practice but I wouldn't have thought it would apply here. I could be wrong though.

In that case I would imagine it was to protect the child's identity for the time being.

Equality

The Editor of the local newspaper may have decided not to publish the name for his own reasons, rather than for legal reasons.

sparkling sea

As I said protection of victim is not the reason in this specific case.

I suppose it could have been an editorial decision alright