Should rape suspects be named before the trial?

Bill Ryan · #11 (**permalink**) 13-10-11, 12:17 PM

I probably didn't use the best phrasing in my earlier post.

I am not convinced by the arguments favouring the status quo.

I think there is a good argument in favour of accused/defendant anonymity if the alleged victim is taking advantage of this.

garde · #12 (**permalink**) 13-10-11, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Ryan

I think there is a good argument in favour of accused/defendant anonymity if the alleged victim is taking advantage of this.

Yep totally agree!

sjr4x4 · #13 (**permalink**) 13-10-11, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Ryan

I probably didn't use the best phrasing in my earlier post.

You know I don't understand big words

Just saw what time you posted, 04.27! Did they lock you in the court room?

Bill Ryan · #14 (**permalink**) 13-10-11, 02:54 PM

No that's my time, but clearly I wasn't at my best this morning QED

Sharpink · #15 (**permalink**) 25-10-11, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Imagine waking up one day and be a 100% wrongly accused of some wrong doing

Read more: Should rape suspects be named before the trial?

Every court in the land has a resident reporter. From simple drink driving to the most serious charges you can imagine, it will be picked up, it will be reported and you (the defendant) have no control over how this is presented to the public. Serious crimes attract more hype and are often less accurate.

Those tasked with direct risk assessment, the preparation of pre and post sentence reports are shouted down by the press and publicly ridiculed for being "too soft". This "judgement" is not based in fact (because the press seldom have the facts) but they do hold sway over the public. As a Probation Officer I do not have an issue with recommending custody if that is required. However, custody is expensive and has very little impact on reoffending, a fact that the press seldom report.

It costs £43,000 per year to lock a person up 23 hours per day. In some cases it has a punitive and deterrent effect, in many others it is simply a holiday. Community based sanctions produce better results and are a much cheaper option.

Do you want to double your tax bill to "lock em all up?" didn't think so. Did you know that 30% of all adult males in the UK over the age of 14 have a criminal conviction?

sjr4x4 · #16 (**permalink**) 25-10-11, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharpink

Every court in the land has a resident reporter. From simple drink driving to the most serious charges you can imagine, it will be picked up, it will be reported...

Is the court reporter an official position? Do they decide who to relay the stories to, or is it like a daily summary that gets sent out to all the local rags?

Wonder if the court gets paid for sending out the info? That would be a bizarre twist.

£43k to lock someone up!?!

Prob not PC, but that's a lot of expensive labour just sat there! Must be plenty of lower risk prisoners that can be put to work. Maybe 2x 12 hour rotating shifts and a reduction in required cells. A bit of instilled work ethic, cheap resource for British manufacturing allowing it to compete with China. Plus has to be more interesting than staring at 4 walls!

Sharpink · #17 (**permalink**) 29-10-11, 04:16 PM

"all" Court cases/crimnal procedings (magistrates and crown) remain in the public domain. "Everyone" has the right to sit in court (public gallery) unless the judge can give a very good reason for not doing so. Reporters take advantage of this fact. It would be a good idea to charge a small fee though. I can recomend a visit to your local court, more so if it is an intersting case like a banker charged with fraud!

And yes, it is £43,000 per year to hold Cat B, C and D prisoners. Its more for Cat "A's". I think your idea of rotating shifts, shared cells and cheap labour is outstanding. I am going to suggest it to the govener of my local prisons (we have three in humberside) (I wonder why?). Oh forgot, prisoners do have rights

Get less than 12 months and you are locked up 22 hours per day. Over 12 months and the system does find you a job and gives you some quality recreational time. You also get to moan about your probation Officer and that's why I am trying to build my own buisness! Honestly? it is an interesting job. On a good week, you will only get death threats once or twice, offenders can be quite rude at times and we do work long hours. But you do meet some very intersting people!

Bill Ryan · #18 (**permalink**) 30-10-11, 01:59 PM

Actually there is less reporting of low level stuff now I think. I have done many a case without seeing a reporter in sight.

Probably because the costs of having lots of reporters in the economic climate of reduced newspaper sales.

sjr4x4 · #19 (**permalink**) 31-10-11, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharpink

On a good week, you will only get death threats once or twice, offenders can be quite rude at times and we do work long hours. But you do meet some very intersting people!

Hats off to you, and everyone else in the legal profession, deserve a bloody medal.

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