Beyond reasonable doubt

pc7

Without discussing the actual case currently being reported in the media at present in NI. I am just trying to understand if the jury need to find the defendants guilty beyond reasonable doubt?
Also if this case was being held in Ireland, would such open reporting be allowed?
If this is too close to the mark in terms of hot potatoe topic please delete mods.

Victor

Criminal cases normally operate on 'beyond reasonable doubt'. Civil cases normally operate on 'balance of probabilities'.

Most court hearings are held in public, with full media presence, although there are a lot more courts than journalists. Facts of cases can be published, but in certain cases legal arguments or identifying details can't. This applies to rape cases, where the victim can't be identified publicly without permission. It may also be that the accused or witnesses can't be identified publicly without permission, as to identify them would identify the victim. Judges may direct that certain matters not be published during the course of a trial, e.g. legal arguments that have taken place in the jury's absence.

However, family court and children's court proceedings are normally private, with only the parties and their representatives. Limited media presence has been allowed in recent years. Facts of cases can be published, but identifying details can't.

pc7

That's great, thanks for that info, very informative.

Samuel T. Cogley

12 Angry men if you've never watched it. Not the remake :pac:

nuac

Mod
Closing this thread, ar eagla na h-eagla