Impact of media representations on criminal prosecution and trial proceedings (Case Study : "hyena old" – Mashhad Judicial District)

Media is the most important platform for fast data transfer, with magnitude of influence, scope and extent of the long-term effects on public opinion, and extensive media coverage of social issues, particularly in matters of... [ view full abstract ]

Media is the most important platform for fast data transfer, with magnitude of influence, scope and extent of the long-term effects on public opinion, and extensive media coverage of social issues, particularly in matters of crime enjoys high penetration rate. The growing trend of media and virtual social networks have accelerated crime news and influenced on criminal justice bodies. This investigation were conducted from time that offender had been arrested and media representation were started (2012, Oct), to reflect the media after the verdict acquitting the Mashhad Revolutionary Court and subsequently the Supreme Court confirmed the acquittal (2004), using descriptive analysis method on media file is known as the "hyena old" with numerous allegations of child abuse, abduction, adduction bodily injury intentionally, rape and compulsion, and the impact of extensive media coverage of the case on the prosecution, proceedings, public sentiment and the judiciary's enforcement approach were analyzed. Data collected from face to face interviews with several of the informants, including judges, lawyers and journalists, and official court expert in the case, and from the file "hyena old". the relevant documents analyzed for reasoning the impact of the emotional space of the proceedings, the rights to defense, according to argue a legal void in the case of "hyena old" retributive judicial interpretations, appointments, and the verdict of the court were discussed. Result show that the prosecution procedure and trial was affected by media representation, especially in some issues such as retribution, emotional atmosphere, illegal evidence, and lack of observing defensive rights of accused.