Top UK judge: No ban on Twitter in court
Legal World
The head of the judiciary in England and Wales ruled Monday that there is no ban on using Twitter in court.
Lord Chief Justice Igor Judge said the use of "unobtrusive, hand held, virtually silent" equipment to give live text updates was unlikely to interfere with the administration of justice.
Among the traditions of British justice — alongside lawyers' black robes and horsehair wigs — are strict restrictions on communications. Cameras and recording equipment are banned, phones are usually prohibited, and even court artists are barred from sketching in the courtroom — they must make notes and then go outside to draw.
Twitter has been a gray area. Last week a judge allowed journalists to tweet from a bail hearing for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange — the first time it had been expressly permitted. But two days later the judge at another hearing for Assange said tweeting was barred.
The chief justice said there was no legal prohibition on using "a mobile phone, small laptop or similar piece of equipment, solely in order to make live text-based communications of the proceedings" — giving journalists a green light to tweet, text or liveblog from hearings.
But he said users would have to seek the judge's permission first, and this could be refused in criminal trials if there was a risk that information posted on Twitter might influence witnesses or jurors.
Related listings
-
Conviction of disgraced SKorean scientist upheld
Legal World 12/16/2010An appeals court ruled Thursday to uphold most of the fraud convictions against a South Korean scientist disgraced in a cloning scandal that shook the international scientific community.Hwang Woo-suk — who gained worldwide fame in 2004 with claims to...
-
Court rejects el-Masri suit against German gov't
Legal World 12/12/2010A German court rejected a lawsuit filed by Khaled el-Masri seeking to force Berlin into prosecuting suspected CIA agents who he alleges illegally detained him nearly eight years ago as part of the U.S. rendition program.The Cologne Administrative Cou...
-
Swiss cut off bank account for WikiLeaks' Assange
Legal World 12/09/2010Swiss authorities stripped WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange of a key fundraising tool Monday -- his new bank account -- and the secret-spilling web site fended off more suspected computer attacks as it maneuvered to stay online.Scotland Yard was now ...
Victorville CA DUI defense Attorneys
The outcome of a DUI defense will have a long-term effect on anyone’s life, making the decision to receive legal representation an easy one. The fact is, most people accused of a DUI are first offenders with no criminal background. Whether this is your first run in with the law or you have had previous convictions, you are in need of a DUI defense attorney.
The charges you are facing for a DUI range from fines, a 12-month suspension on your license and worst-case scenario, prison time. Your attorney will be able to analyze your situation to decide the best way to go about your case.
Our attorneys know the tricky ways to challenge all of the DUI tests and know how to claim improper collection of evidence. We will be able to negotiate on your behalf and free you from charges and help you keep your drivers license. The DUI process can last up to several months, we can make this process easier on you. .