pretrial publicity

Pretrial publicity refers to news coverage, media reports, or public discussions about a case before the trial takes place. This information can influence how potential jurors, witnesses, or even judges perceive the accused or the evidence, potentially threatening a fair trial. Courts often seek to limit pretrial publicity or take steps to ensure it doesn’t bias the proceedings, such as changing the trial location or sequestering jurors. The goal is to preserve the defendant’s right to a fair, impartial trial by minimizing outside influences that could sway judgments before all evidence is heard and evaluated in court.