Judges are sometimes influenced by the Media – Short

Judges are sometimes influenced by Media attention on cases before them, former Commissioner for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), Justice Francis Emile Short has observed.

“Some judges are influenced by Media sensation about the particular crime that have been committed, about the individuals involved; whether the person is of a high rank or low rank in society.

“And so some judges will use irrelevant considerations in determining whether to grant bail,” Justice Short told Kafui Dey on the Morning Starr Wednesday.

According to him, the creeping development has the tendency to adversely affect justice delivery in the country.

“Normally, one has to look at the gravity of the offence, the likelihood that the person will appear for his or her trial, whether the person is in the position to interfere with investigation of the crime and such matters are crucial in determining to allow bail or not,” he explained.