Judicial Time Lords: Media Direction vs. Judicial Independence
The International Journal of Criminal Justice Sciences, Vol. 5, Issue 1, 2010
15 Pages Posted: 3 Nov 2012
Date Written: June 1, 2010
Abstract
News stories and their headlines first collated and analysed by Schulz (2008, 2010) have clearly identified a significant continuing Discourse of Time, which is being used to analyze the work of courts and judges and influence policy decisions. This paper suggests that time discourse is a very powerful influence in public perception transmission and suggests ways in which authorities can identify and modify responses direct to community. A corpus of sentencing remarks randomly sourced in Australia from various Criminal Courts websites since 2008 indicates judicial officers appear unaware of the need to reframe discursive presentations for community. Sentences appear offender focused rather than driven by the need for community reassurance. This article provides a multidisciplinary approach using communication theory and legal perspectives. This unique collaboration into Time and its challenges for authorities reliant on public confidence (and funding) provides evidence that the Discourse of Time and its construction is used as a major evaluative measure of them. Sentencing presentations thus may be considered in light of these findings.
Keywords: media and courts, discourse, sentencing, time
JEL Classification: K10, K14, K40, K41, J20
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation