Trial by media (or by Joe Sixpack) vs. "innocent until proven guilty"

[Bertha Venation]

Is it possible to reconcile trial-by-media/glossy-mag feeding frenzy with the concept of "innocent until proven guilty?" And should this concept preclude Joe Sixpack from judging guilt or innocence?

As if it weren't enough that the accused are tried by the media today, there are a helluva lot of people ready to crucify the accused with words wherever they go -- say, in conversation over lunch, or even on a message board.

So here's a broader, more spiritual (dare I say moral?) question: is it right for us to judge the Famous Accused before s/he has had his/her trial?

[Bertha Venation]

1. Anyone?

[kitkatrose]

2. Here goes:

So here's a broader, more spiritual (dare I say moral?) question: is it right for us to judge the Famous Accused before s/he has had his/her trial?

No it's not right, but unfortunately it will happen. For whatever reason, we like to see people in high places come crashing down--this is just one method of doing it. And as long as the media can make a buck off of it, the media feeding frenzy will occcur. See Scott Peterson, Michael Jackson, Kobi Bryant, etc.

Personally, all I want is for the 'famous accused' to get the same consideration that I would get if I committed the same crime. And I already know that their immense amounts of money are going to make them innocent, even if they are not; or if they get convicted, get lighter sentencing.

[pagerbear]

3. Don't most other western countries eschew juries

...and have panels of judges? Pardon my ignorance, but that's my impression.

[supernova]

5. Not that I'm aware of

In fact trial by a jury of one's peers is an invention of Henry II.

[pagerbear]

8. Maybe I'm thinking of Germany

I know when the OJ trial was over, my friend living in Germany said something about a panel of judges there, and how the Germans looked askance at the US legal system.

[Kellanved]

9. Yes, that's right

A panel composed of three professional judges and two jurymen.

In lesser offenses (and if the defendant is not an adult) the panel can be composed of two jurymen and one professional judge.

That form of court is influenced by the French revolution; it's adoption was one of the major victories of the German Democratic movement.

[supernova]

4. I don't know how you

can keep it from happening. Fame and infamy are two sides of the same coin.

edit: IMO the only way you can negate the skewed results across the system (a famous convict getting a lighter sentence and or getting off due to his/her fame and money than some poor homeless schmoe down the street who happens to commit the same crime) is to reach a point of criticial mass where the media is so intrusive that everybody is equally famous.

[gpandas]

6. twelve men, tried and true...

cannot be found in america.

[nickgutierrez]

7. No, of course not

But, as you know, right and wrong have little bearing on the actions of the corporate media -- it's all about ratings and the bottom line. And if the media has its opinion, then Joe Sixpack has his, and the snowball effect takes hold.