Should the names of the victim and accused remain anonymous

[Deleted member 15344]

Following on from comments on Adam Johnson and on social media - should all the names remain annoymous until a descion is made in court or until charged ?

http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2013/may/16/theresa-may-right-anonymity-suspects

 

[c1973]

Imo, yes.

I'd go one further. To ensure that only evidence heard in a court of law is utilised by a jury, I'd have anonymity for everyone in court, in every case, alleged victim, witnesses, accused...everyone. Untill the verdict obviously.

It would mean jurors couldn't go home and use Google Facebook Twitter etc to form opinions and possibly skew their verdict by acting on outside information.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Imo, yes.

I'd go one further. To ensure that only evidence heard in a court of law is utilised by a jury, I'd have anonymity for everyone in court, in every case, alleged victim, witnesses, accused...everyone. Untill the verdict obviously.

It would mean jurors couldn't go home and use Google Facebook Twitter etc to form opinions and possibly skew their verdict by acting on outside information.

99% of me agrees with all the above, the other 1% doubt is, there have been cases recently were allegations (that were found to be true) helped others who were scared to come forward, come forward. Really a difficult one!

 

[toyboy54]

OOPS..pressed wrong one,sorry!

Jimbo

 

[Imurg]

Those people will have the opportunity to come forward when names are released after a charge is made.

 

[Craigg]

Absolutely.
Man accused of rape, named in the papers etc. Found Not Guilty. Life still in tatters!

 

[Hobbit]

On a case by case basis, with the judge making the decision.

Not voted

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

imho
remain anonymous until charged, yes.
remain anonymous until verdict, no.
unfortunately that means i can't answer your poll, or is it me just being thick??

 

[DCB]

There was me thinking that a person was deemed innocent, in the eyes of the law, until proven guilty. Suppose we'd better just rip up the law books and start again.

Dangerous precedent being set here.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

There was me thinking that a person was deemed innocent, in the eyes of the law, until proven guilty. Suppose we'd better just rip up the law books and start again.

Dangerous precedent being set here.

?

Still is innocent until proven guilty by law

What precedent is being set ?

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

?

Still is innocent until proven guilty by law

What precedent is being set ?

Trial by media, already "guilty" in the eyes of many.

 

[SugarPenguin]

its a tough one.

I went with no simply because I believe that it has helped with all the pedophilia in the country recently and people coming forwards

 

[Khamelion]

On a case by case basis, with the judge making the decision.

Not voted

With Hobbit on this one, depends on the case, circumstances and any immediate evidence.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Wonder where He is suppose to have met this girl.
Night club & she looked older,or outside of a youth club.

 

[Imurg]

One wonders why the names of the two arrested on suspicion of murder and kidnap in Bristol haven't been released.....
Could this be because they're not famous or am I getting cynical in my old age.....

 

[chrisd]

It does concern me that there is a media frenzy at the home of a famous name when they are about to be arrested (ala Jim Davidson) then mysteriously some time later the charges are dropped and the accused is tainted forever. I certainly understand that naming people does potentially bring other victims forward but in the innocence of the accused is compromised when trial by media occurs

 

[Papas1982]

Names should be kept secret. On both sides. Just like women should be named if the case turns out to be crying wolf. Not a dubious innocent for the man. But in cases where the woman admits she was jilted and felt angry. These women deserve harsher penalties imo.

 

[bladeplayer]

There was me thinking that a person was deemed innocent, in the eyes of the law, until proven guilty. Suppose we'd better just rip up the law books and start again.

Dangerous precedent being set here.

LIKE

100 % spot on Dave :thup:

 

[bladeplayer]

Wonder where He is suppose to have met this girl.
Night club & she looked older,or outside of a youth club.

Massively important question right here .!!!!

Anyone heard where it was suppose to be ?

 

[Lambchops]

Yep and if true he's in trouble

As to the OP I think his name shouldn't have been released so early - currently he's 'helping with an investigation' therefore hasn't been charged with anything. Once charges are brought that is the time for the name to be released