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Thread ID: 60013 2005-07-20 00:21:00 [OT] NZ Celebrities caught in drug bust Lohsing (219) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
373721 2005-07-22 05:09:00 Name suppression has already been discussed on the All Black thread pressf1.pcworld.co.nz Worth a read.

However the present case is different.

Here we have 2 or more people named by a person who has been charged with drug offences. Until those people are charged, I think it is open season on them. They can be named publicly but..............see below.
At the early point the Police are looking for someone but no charge has been laid, that person can be named.

Name suppression at this point can only arise in two ways:

1 Respect by the media for the "sub judice" rule which prohibits discussion of a case before it comes to Court. Starts from the moment a charge is laid, until appearance at Court. Very short term and a sort of a de facto suppression. Doesn't exist in the USA.

2 An order by a judge once the accused person appears in Court. That order may include not only his name but also all details of the case (rare). If that happened then any other persons names mentioned in the charges would be suppressed as a byproduct. Eg the victim in a rape.


However we are overlooking one other aspect. Say one of these guys, who hasn't been charged with anything yet, is named by TVNZ. And then the Police don't charge him at all. He has been defamed and can probably recover a nice lump of dosh as damages from TVNZ.

So anyone spreading the names around faces the risk of defamation action. Not a lot of fun.

Finally, it isn't defamation to publish the names of people mentioned during court proceedings. Tough for them. Incidentally Roald Dahl wrote a great short story on this loophole in defamation law.
Winston001 (3612)
373722 2005-07-22 06:52:00 However we are overlooking one other aspect. Say one of these guys, who hasn't been charged with anything yet, is named by TVNZ. And then the Police don't charge him at all. He has been defamed and can probably recover a nice lump of dosh as damages from TVNZ.

You mean more dosh than they pay him already? :)
Sam I Am (1679)
373723 2005-07-22 07:38:00 From the report I watched the 2 unnamed people were named by the supplier as buying some gear off him,and the second person had only enquired about availability.

Personally I call it BS that someone in the hotseat can just mention a few names and have the heat applied elsewhere.

Storm in a teacup.
I was of the understanding that the names came about through taped conversations, so they must have sufficient evidence to go about laying charges?

I'd be interested to see whether the name suppression lasts post trial regardless of result.

Lo.
Lohsing (219)
373724 2005-07-22 10:16:00 Come on everyone you should all know its [edit]

have a :) nice day

[edit: please respect the name suppression and do not post names]
chrisvainis (8556)
373725 2005-07-23 00:44:00 [edit: comments removed]

[Edit: please read this (pressf1.pcworld.co.nz), and do not post names. As you specified that you knew one of the people involved, then you will be liable for breaking name suppression by publishing it on this forum. Large court fines can be involved ... - Jen (Moderator) ]
jamezb3 (8557)
373726 2005-07-23 00:58:00 As this thread is now just attracting people who sign up just to post names despite the request not to, I'm locking this thread. Jen (38)
373727 2005-07-26 12:20:00 Moderators note:

This thread appears to be going up between 2 - 3,000 views per day!!

What nosey Kiwi's we are :D
Chilling_Silence (9)
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