POLICE have warned Facebook users against posting comments which could influence jury members in a trial.
Any material which could influence members of the jury in a active case is deemed as being in contempt of court and is punishable in a court of law.
The Contempt of Court Act protects the justice process and the fundamental principle that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
These comments could include:
- References to someone’s previous convictions
- Statements about a person’s character
- Evidence seeming to link a person directly to the crime of which they have been accused
- Other suggestions that the person is guilty
Proceedings are active when:
- A person is charged
- A person has been arrested
- An arrest warrant is issued
- A summons is issued
If you hold such information you should pass it to the police by calling 101 and quoting the relevant incident number.
