Discuss the significance of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Estes v. Texas (1965). Which defendant right did this case help define?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The Estes case helped to define the media’s role in criminal justice proceedings. Estes was under indictment in Texas for swindling. There was massive pretrial publicity about the case, even on the national level. Because of the amount of publicity, the judge allowed for a change of venue. Estes filed a motion to prevent telecasting, radio broadcasting, and news photography. The judge allowed the hearing to be carried live on television and radio, and the judge allowed news photography. Furthermore, the jury was given a lot of media attention during the two days the pretrial hearing lasted. Four of the jurors selected later at the trial had seen or heard all or part of the broadcasts. The cameramen with their equipment in various parts of the courtroom caused considerable disruption. Estes was convicted of the offense and sentenced. Estes appealed the verdict to the U.S. Supreme Court, claiming harm because of pretrial publicity. After hearing the case, the justices reversed the conviction of the defendant because at the preliminary hearing, and to a lesser degree at the trial, the bright lights, strands of television cable, and activities of the news groups were excessive in relation to the public’s interest in the news. Moreover, all of the media had prevented a thorough search for the truth and denied Estes a fair trial.