If everyone is innocent until proven guilty....

[CoolTech]

why are mugshots available/released to the press before a trial has even begun, let alone completed.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Not sure if that would fall under freedom of the press or public record...but either way it's really about ratings.

 

[meltdown75]

FOI

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: CoolTech
why are mugshots available/released to the press before a trial has even begun, let alone completed.

Because a mugshot doesnt claim innocence or guilt? Its just a picture.

 

[pulse8]

I don't see your point. Mug shots are just pictures taken when you're arrested. If you're on trial for something criminal, you had to have been arrested at one point. There's no denying that. Whether or not you committed the crime you were arrested for is a different story, but the mug shot has nothing to do with that.

 

[gamepad]

Originally posted by: akshatp

Originally posted by: CoolTech
why are mugshots available/released to the press before a trial has even begun, let alone completed.

Because a mugshot doesnt claim innocence or guilt? Its just a picture.

I refuse do do a "zing," so here goes:

SHING!

 

[her209]

If everyone is innocent until proven guilty, why do they hide their face under their coat when they see a camera rolling?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: pulse8
I don't see your point. Mug shots are just pictures taken when you're arrested. If you're on trial for something criminal, you had to have been arrested at one point. There's no denying that. Whether or not you committed the crime you were arrested for is a different story, but the mug shot has nothing to do with that.

The public assumes guilt when they see a mugshot/arrest record. The media knows this, and capitalizes on it. The uglier the mugshot or more heinous the charge, the better.

Originally posted by: her209
If everyone is innocent until proven guilty, why do they hide their face under their coat when they see a camera rolling?

see above.

 

[akshatp]

I would also like to interject, that most people that get arrested for a crime are usually guilty. (Even though sometimes their guilt isnt proven)

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: CoolTech
why are mugshots available/released to the press before a trial has even begun, let alone completed.

To taint the jury pool...duh.

 

[Mr Incognito]

You really need to ask these questions in your head before starting a new thread on ATOT.

 

[Eeezee]

When you see someone's picture, do you immediately assume they are guilty of something?

What if a mugshot is of a particularly hot babe? Do you still assume she's guilty immediately? Come on, don't lie!

 

[Argo]

A better question is if everybody is innocent until proven guilty, then why can you detain suspects before trial (or even deny bail for that matter)

 

[Captante]

Originally posted by: her209
If everyone is innocent until proven guilty, why do they hide their face under their coat when they see a camera rolling?

Perhaps because the same camera won't be rolling if they are aquitted?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Eeezee
When you see someone's picture, do you immediately assume they are guilty of something?

What if a mugshot is of a particularly hot babe? Do you still assume she's guilty immediately? Come on, don't lie!

Innocent?

Guilty?

 

[Corporate Thug]

Originally posted by: CoolTech
why are mugshots available/released to the press before a trial has even begun, let alone completed.

you dont even have a right to counsel at the time mugshots are taken so they aren't even consider (1) a critical stage and (2) the commencement of formal proceedings.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Corporate Thug

Originally posted by: CoolTech
why are mugshots available/released to the press before a trial has even begun, let alone completed.

you dont even have a right to counsel at the time mugshots are taken so they aren't even consider (1) a critical stage and (2) the commencement of formal proceedings.

They sure as hell aren't generally taken at the most opportune time either. If you're a famous person I can see why you'd want to keep them out of public circulation.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: Eeezee
When you see someone's picture, do you immediately assume they are guilty of something?

What if a mugshot is of a particularly hot babe? Do you still assume she's guilty immediately? Come on, don't lie!

Innocent?

Guilty?

 

[alphatarget1]

innocent until proven guilty in a court of law...

 

[Xavier434]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: pulse8
I don't see your point. Mug shots are just pictures taken when you're arrested. If you're on trial for something criminal, you had to have been arrested at one point. There's no denying that. Whether or not you committed the crime you were arrested for is a different story, but the mug shot has nothing to do with that.

The public assumes guilt when they see a mugshot/arrest record. The media knows this, and capitalizes on it. The uglier the mugshot or more heinous the charge, the better.

Originally posted by: her209
If everyone is innocent until proven guilty, why do they hide their face under their coat when they see a camera rolling?

see above.

Yup. Good thing the public forgets about the pictures they see and the stories they read really fast in most cases. The media just capitalizes on their 15 minutes of fame unless the case happens to be a big one or about a celebrity.