Pretrial Publicity

Definition of Pretrial Publicity

Note: See a more comprehensive approach to the Pretrial Publicity legal concept in the American Law Encyclopedia

Information about a particular case disseminated through the media. The basic problem with pretrial publicity in criminal cases is that it may impair a defendant's right to an impartial jury. If publicity is pervasive enough, it may lead citizens toward at least tentative judgments about guilt or innocence. In such cases, the publicity is said to be prejudicial. Given the current reach of the media, especially the broadcast media, virtually an entire community can be influenced by information untested by accepted rules of procedure and evidence. The famous case involving Dr. Sam Sheppard portrays prejudicial consequences at their worst.

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