NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

Can the media report if a defendant is acquitted by a majority verdict?

1. Yes

2. No

3. Only in summary reports

4. Yes, with consent from the defendant

The correct answer is: No

The correct answer is that the media cannot report the details of a defendant's acquittal by a majority verdict. This is due to the legal principle of "double jeopardy," which protects individuals from being retried for the same offense once they have been acquitted. While the media has the right to report on trials and outcomes, certain specifics surrounding an acquittal, particularly based on a majority verdict, are often subject to restrictions to protect the integrity of the legal process and the privacy of the defendant. In situations where a defendant is acquitted by a unanimous verdict, the media is generally free to report this outcome. However, with a majority verdict, the nuances can complicate coverage because it may imply that there were differing opinions among the jurors. This complexity can lead to concerns regarding the potential for public misunderstanding of the verdict's implications. Thus, due to these legal and ethical considerations, reporting on an acquittal that results from a majority verdict is typically not permitted.