High Court denies prosecutors immunity
Article Abstract:
The US Supreme Court has ruled in Buckley v. Fitzsimmons that prosecutors can be held liable for statements at press conferences about their cases. The stages of Stephen Buckley's murder trial included two years in jail before trial, a hung jury and declaration of mistrial, the death of a key prosecution witness before retrial and then the dropping of charges. Buckley sued the prosecutor for violating his civil rights with statements to the press announcing the indictment. The court held in favor of possible liability since statements to media were not part of courtroom advocacy.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1993
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Principal is public official, Vermont high court rules
Article Abstract:
The Vermont Supreme Court has agreed with a lower state court and upheld a summary judgment granted to a school board that was sued for libel. An elementary school principal sued the school board for libel after the board did not renew his contract, following allegations that he had falsified time records, and without giving him a hearing. Both courts ruled, however, that the principal was a public official and had to present enough evidence to prove actual malice in order to prevail in a libel suit, but that he had not done so.
Publication Name: News Media & the Law
Subject: Literature/writing
ISSN: 0149-0737
Year: 1992
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- Abstracts: Court declines to review public official ruling. State high court affirms libel verdict over editorial. Court upholds critic's review of 'fake phantom.' (drama critic's review of Ken Hill's version of 'Phantom of the Opera')
- Abstracts: 'Segregate and block' law struck down: cable operators cannot regulate public, educational channels. News media alert: summary of proposals introduced in the 102nd Congress that would close 'sensitive' Senate committee hearings, open settlements in suits against the government, increase fees for public information, and allow local governments to regulate cable television
- Abstracts: Release of psychiatrists' names would invade privacy. Court denies release of course materials
- Abstracts: FCC issues gag order against NBC, Fox during investigation of Fox's ownership. New FCC rule allows $25,000 fine for broadcast hoaxes
- Abstracts: Reporters in California, Texas found in contempt. New shield law won't help reporters' contempt cases. Appeals court deadlock protects reporters