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In America, courtroom proceedings are generally open to the public and can,within strict guidelines, be reported on in newspapers and on radio and television. We use the word “allegation” and its verb form “allege”to indicate that charges brought against a person have not been proven.Cameras are also generally barred from courtrooms to protect the identities of thejurors,unless special permission is given by the judge.A jury, by the way, consists of from six to twelve ordinary citizens who are chosen by lottery to hear acase and decide,under instructions from the judge, on whether the persons being tried are guilty or innocent.In some cases which attract widespread public interest,permission is given to televise the proceedings if and only if the television cameras never photograph the members of the jury.
An exception to the rule ofopen proceedings are the proceedings of a Grand Jury.Grand Jury proceedings arealways secret. In this instance,a jury is convened not to judge a defendant guilty or not guilty but to decide if sufficient evidence is on hand to bring charges against someone and begin a public trial.The secrecy of the grand jury proceedings is considered necessary to protect the integrity of the testimony and theevidence which may be brought forward later in a public trial.The secrecy prevents any future jury membersfrom having formed an opinion about the case before the facts are known; and it protects the reputations of people who may have been wrongfully or unnecessarily accused of a crime.The fundamental rule of Americanlegal practice is that a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty.The people accusing or prosecuting the defendant must prove through facts and testimony that the person is guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
