To accompany lecture on Sheppard v. Maxwell, Nebraska Press Association v. Stuart, and related cases on the clash between First and Sixth Amendment rights.
4. Questions Is the First Amendment more important than the Sixth? Is the Sixth Amendment more important than the First?
5. Questions Is the First Amendment more important than the Sixth? Is the Sixth Amendment more important than the First? How might these rights come into conflict?
6. Prior restraint Unconstitutional in nearly all cases The Near v. Minnesota exceptions: National security Obscenity Incitement to violence, or “fighting words”
8. Prior restraint Unconstitutional in nearly all cases But denying someone a fair trial is also unconstitutional When interests collide, courts muddle through on a case-by-case basis
9. “Lindbergh baby” case Lindbergh a national hero Hauptmann convicted after massive pretrial publicity Death penalty eliminated for kidnapping
15. Sheppard found guilty Judge Blythin (right) up for re-election Press allowed the run of the courtroom Sheppard sentenced to life in prison
16. Sheppard’s appeals Turned down by Ohio Court of Appeals and Ohio Supreme Court (1954 and ’55) U.S. Supreme Court denies cert (1955) Released on a writ of habeas corpus (1964) Conviction overturned by U.S. Supreme Court (Sheppard v. Maxwell, 1966) Acquitted in second trial (1966)
17. Sheppard’s sad end Became a professional wrestler Died in 1970 Who was the real killer?
18. Backlash against media Earl Warren (left) writes that Oswald could not have received a fair trial Gag orders and other restrictions on the media become increasingly common Where is the balance of interests?
19. Nebraska Press Associationv. Stuart (1976) The Burger Court limits the use of gag orders For all practical purposes, gag orders are ruled unconstitutional
20. Conditions for gag orders Pre-trial publicity would be extensive and pervasive
21. Conditions for gag orders Pre-trial publicity would be extensive and pervasive No alternative measures would offset the effects of the publicity
22. Conditions for gag orders Pre-trial publicity would be extensive and pervasive No alternative measures would offset the effects of the publicity A gag order would succeed in protecting the right to a fair trial
26. Alternative measures Continuance Change of venue Intensive voir dire Question prospective jurors as to whether they can remain fair and impartial
27. Alternative measures Continuance Change of venue Intensive voir dire Jury admonitions Remind jurors not to follow coverage in the media or to discuss the case
28. Alternative measures Continuance Change of venue Intensive voir dire Jury admonitions Sequestration Most extreme, generally (and rarely) used only for deliberations
29. The People v. Bryant (2004) Alleged victim’s sexual history is accidentally released to the media
30. The People v. Bryant (2004) Alleged victim’s sexual history is accidentally released to the media Justice Hobbs: Media should be forbidden to use it under Colorado’s rape shield law
31. The People v. Bryant (2004) Alleged victim’s sexual history is accidentally released to the media Justice Hobbs: Media should be forbidden to use it under Colorado’s rape shield law Justice Bender: That violates the First Amendment
32. The People v. Bryant (2004) Alleged victim’s sexual history is accidentally released to the media Justice Hobbs: Media should be forbidden to use it under Colorado’s rape shield law Justice Bender: That violates the First Amendment What do you think?
34. Press-Enterprise II (1986) Press Enterprise I was about jury selection This case is about pre-trial hearings Burger writes for the majority If it looks like a trial, then it should be treated like a trial and be open to the public
35. Press-Enterprise II (1986) Press Enterprise I was about jury selection This case is about pre-trial hearings Burger writes for the majority If it looks like a trial, then it should be treated like a trial and be open to the public Grand-jury proceedings would be secret because secrecy is their very purpose
36. Chandler v. Florida (1981) Nothing inherently unconstitutional about the presence of television cameras in court
37. Chandler v. Florida (1981) Nothing inherently unconstitutional about the presence of television cameras in court Television journalists do not have a right to be in the courtroom
38. Chandler v. Florida (1981) Nothing inherently unconstitutional about the presence of television cameras in court Television journalists do not have a right to be in the courtroom Same situation as today
39. Chandler v. Florida (1981) Nothing inherently unconstitutional about the presence of television cameras in court Television journalists do not have a right to be in the courtroom Same situation as today What do you think?
40. Other cases in brief Richmond Newspapers Inc. v. Virginia (1980) Murder trial closed after first three ended in mistrial Justice Burger: Right to attend criminal trials “implicit” in the First Amendment Trial can be closed only if there is a specific finding that it is necessary
41. Other cases in brief Richmond Newspapers Inc. v. Virginia (1980) Press-Enterprise I (1984) Jury selection must be open to public in most cases Exceptions “Substantial probability” that defendant’s right to a fair trial would be harmed No reasonable alternative
42. Other cases in brief Richmond Newspapers Inc. v. Virginia (1980) Press-Enterprise I (1984) California First Amendment Coalition v. Woodford (2002) All parts of an execution must be visible to the media, not just parts of it Attempts to close parts an “exaggerated response” to security concerns