Emma Way - Driver stupidity finally caught out

Referring to the word "definitely" in her tweet, Emma Way says it was "slang" and how young people talk. "It had kind of annoyed me."

Oh, Emma.

She's a total moron, isn't she?

She should've said she literally hit a cyclist. Everyone would've realised that was a metaphor.

I sho nuff hit a cyclist, you dig?

From wiki...

"it is generally considered ***inappropriate ***to comment publicly on cases sub judice, which ***can ***be an offence in itself, leading to contempt of court proceedings"

I was hoping for something more specific from both you and my google search... all very vague!

I was vague because it's two or three chapters of a very big book on media law. If you would like to come to my office for a three-hour long personal reading you're welcome. Bring cake.

its an internet forum about bikes and memes - i reckon you're OK.

Bikes and memes are guilty.

Guantanamo.

Julie Iglesias is guilty.

Guantanamera.

its an internet forum about bikes and memes - i reckon you're OK.

What, in terms of contempt? You seem to know best...

whats a bike?

It's magistrates court. Is it a good sign when the beak buries his head in his hands and groans?

What, in terms of contempt? You seem to know best...

i used to go out with a lawyer, so yes, i suppose i do.

/never go out with a lawyer. protip.

Fair enough! My job involves a bit of law (not media law or, generally, law relating to court cases) - I'd just love a proper answer (I don't expect you to waste 3 hours providing me with it!)

I get that reporting facts is fine unless the judge specifically demands no reporting).

I get that witnesses and all those directly involved should not say anything.

I am slightly less sure why 3rd parties should not express opinions given that the only people potentially affected are jurors who should not be reading up on the case anyway.

Contempt is basically screwing with fair justice. So you shouldn't comment in case a juror reads what you say and is influenced by it. They're told not to, but often do. That's changing slightly with the internet age, in that it's slowly becoming accepted that people will have a quick Google. In terms of Magistrates, it's accepted that they can't be influenced by these things, but... What if the case gets bumped to Crown court and there's a jury? Or if there's an appeal? Etc etc...

So media law is lots and lots of what-ifs and maybe-thens. Lots of complicated exceptions and so on, but basically everything is weighed-up as risk vs reward. Personally I choose not to chat about the case, particularly as we're likely to have a verdict this afternoon and can then say whatever we want...

i used to go out with a lawyer, so yes, i suppose i do.

/never go out with a lawyer. protip.

Didn't last long though, just a brief encounter

*shcicked

i used to go out with a lawyer, so yes, i suppose i do.

/never go out with a lawyer. protip.

Oh, you went out with a lawyer? Well, I'll come to you next time I need legal representation then *.

• I won't. That was sarcasm.
  

Oh, you went out with a lawyer? Well, I'll come to you next time I need legal representation then *.

• I won't. That was sarcasm.
  
  

i can give you her number - she's between agents at the moment.

Didn't last long though, just a brief encounter

*silked

Fixed.

They've retired so contempt away!

I went out with a lawyer but I couldn't get it to stand up in court.

Which seems very quick - is it quick?

Whenever I go to court it's always very, very long.

So at what point do we go from it being acceptable to comment about the stupidity of her tweet (eg 10 mins after she tweeted), to thinking "hang on this might go to court"?

To what extent is it acceptable to comment about the facts as opposed to the case? (Eg "the tweet was stupid" is opinion, but is it opinion that relates to the case?)

That opens up two large, large areas of media law: one part describes what you can report on in court, safely, and the other is the argument of "fair comment" and the protection it offers in libel claims.

Ah, she said her sister took the photo of the speedometer.

Thank you. The law is fascinating... I ought to stick to the massive massive quantity of law that relates directly to my job!

I quite enjoyed it while I was at learn-to-be-a-journalist school.

Se goes all the way up to 11 !

"Asked by her solicitor on a scale of 1 to 10 about how stupid it was to tweet about the incident, she said 11."

http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/story/2013-11-18/cycle-tweet-girl-due-in-court/

I believe her 110%