Treating contempt with contempt

Abstract

“It is abundantly clear that fair trials are undermined by prejudicial publicity”, writes Woffinden, who has been studying miscarriages of justice for 20 years. He continues: “…in the current anarchy both the media and the prosecution can virtually do as they please. Indeed, the boundaries have lately been stretched even further. Some Crown lawyers – perhaps perceiving themselves as U.S.-style district attorneys – have become disgracefully opportunist in thrusting themselves into the media spotlight and holding press conferences to announce the bringing of charges.” Woffinden lists cases in which media prejudice may have affected the result and presents a three-point plan to ensure that such cases of contempt are eliminated