sheppard v. maxwell
Year: 1966
Result: 8-1, favor Sheppard
Related Constitutional issue/Amendment: 5th Amendment (right to fair trial), 6th Amendment, 14th Amendment (Due Process)
Civil rights or Civil liberties: Civil liberties
Significance/precedent: The media can not, through exercising its right to free speech and press, take the legal proceedings away from their primary purpose (to fairly try those accused). Sheppard's right to a fair trial were infringed by excessive media involvement with the judgement process. The ruling in a court can not come from or be excessively influenced by an outside source (the media), rather to be authenticate, it must come only from within the court.
Quote from majority opinion: “Of course, there is nothing that proscribes the press from reporting events that transpire in the courtroom. But where there is a reasonable likelihood that prejudicial news prior to trial will prevent a fair trial, the judge should continue the case until the threat abates, or transfer it to another county not so permeated with publicity...If publicity during the proceedings threatens the fairness of the trial, a new trial should be ordered...The courts must take such steps by rule and regulation that will protect their processes from prejudicial outside interferences...Collaboration between counsel and the press as to information affecting the fairness of a criminal trial is not only subject to regulation, but is highly censurable and worthy of disciplinary measures."
6-word summary: Media shan't affect outcome of trial
Result: 8-1, favor Sheppard
Related Constitutional issue/Amendment: 5th Amendment (right to fair trial), 6th Amendment, 14th Amendment (Due Process)
Civil rights or Civil liberties: Civil liberties
Significance/precedent: The media can not, through exercising its right to free speech and press, take the legal proceedings away from their primary purpose (to fairly try those accused). Sheppard's right to a fair trial were infringed by excessive media involvement with the judgement process. The ruling in a court can not come from or be excessively influenced by an outside source (the media), rather to be authenticate, it must come only from within the court.
Quote from majority opinion: “Of course, there is nothing that proscribes the press from reporting events that transpire in the courtroom. But where there is a reasonable likelihood that prejudicial news prior to trial will prevent a fair trial, the judge should continue the case until the threat abates, or transfer it to another county not so permeated with publicity...If publicity during the proceedings threatens the fairness of the trial, a new trial should be ordered...The courts must take such steps by rule and regulation that will protect their processes from prejudicial outside interferences...Collaboration between counsel and the press as to information affecting the fairness of a criminal trial is not only subject to regulation, but is highly censurable and worthy of disciplinary measures."
6-word summary: Media shan't affect outcome of trial