NCTJ Court Reporting Practice Exam

Which of the following is an example of when a court may ban publication of a name?

1. Public interest in sentencing

2. Matters of national security

3. Publicly famous defendants

4. Sentencing for minor crimes

The correct answer is: Matters of national security

A court may impose a ban on the publication of a name in cases related to national security to protect sensitive information that, if disclosed, could jeopardize the safety of individuals, state secrets, or the integrity of ongoing investigations. Such restrictions are often necessary to prevent the release of information that could harm governmental operations or expose vulnerabilities, thus ensuring that national interests are safeguarded. This type of order is particularly stringent and is aligned with the court's responsibility to balance public interest and safety. The other options present situations where publication might generally be permissible or where the public interest could justify disclosure rather than a ban. For instance, sentencing for minor crimes typically does not warrant anonymity as the implications for public safety are substantially less. Public interest in sentencing can sometimes call for transparency, and publicly famous defendants may not be legally entitled to anonymity due to their status.