JN204 Lecture Notes - Voir Dire, Publication Ban, Trial
Document Summary
Week 6, thursday contempt of court pre trial, during trial and post trial. Judges will often overlook reports that are short, fact based, and neutral in tone. Jurors never learn the maximum penalty, as it may lead them to believe a defendant"s crime is more serious than it is. It"s fine to talk to lawyers to clarify something that happened in court: avoid asking for additional evidence or reactions, as that might be prejudicial. Both lawyers and reporters could be held in sub judice contempt. Publishing elated stories, particularly those in close proximity to stories about ongoing court case, could earn a contempt citation. Penalties range from to , 000 for serious acts. If you cause a mistrial, your news outlet may be ordered to pay a defendants legal fees as well as the cost of a new trial. The second form of sub judice contempt is mostly historical since the charter.
