Should rape suspects be named before the trial?

I probably didn't use the best phrasing in my earlier post.

I am not convinced by the arguments favouring the status quo.

I think there is a good argument in favour of accused/defendant anonymity if the alleged victim is taking advantage of this.

Yep totally agree!

You know I don't understand big words

Just saw what time you posted, 04.27! Did they lock you in the court room?

No that's my time, but clearly I wasn't at my best this morning QED thumbsdown

Every court in the land has a resident reporter. From simple drink driving to the most serious charges you can imagine, it will be picked up, it will be reported and you (the defendant) have no control over how this is presented to the public. Serious crimes attract more hype and are often less accurate.

Those tasked with direct risk assessment, the preparation of pre and post sentence reports are shouted down by the press and publicly ridiculed for being "too soft". This "judgement" is not based in fact (because the press seldom have the facts) but they do hold sway over the public. As a Probation Officer I do not have an issue with recommending custody if that is required. However, custody is expensive and has very little impact on reoffending, a fact that the press seldom report.

It costs

Is the court reporter an official position? Do they decide who to relay the stories to, or is it like a daily summary that gets sent out to all the local rags?

Wonder if the court gets paid for sending out the info? That would be a bizarre twist.

"all" Court cases/crimnal procedings (magistrates and crown) remain in the public domain. "Everyone" has the right to sit in court (public gallery) unless the judge can give a very good reason for not doing so. Reporters take advantage of this fact. It would be a good idea to charge a small fee though. I can recomend a visit to your local court, more so if it is an intersting case like a banker charged with fraud!

And yes, it is

Actually there is less reporting of low level stuff now I think. I have done many a case without seeing a reporter in sight.

Probably because the costs of having lots of reporters in the economic climate of reduced newspaper sales.

Hats off to you, and everyone else in the legal profession, deserve a bloody medal.