Can they do that?

[mpritcha1]

In California, my son was in a car accident and the paper published his name, he's 16, is that legal?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

In California, my son was in a car accident and the paper published his name, he's 16, is that legal?

of course it is.

 

[CdwJava]

In California, my son was in a car accident and the paper published his name, he's 16, is that legal?

Yes.

It is a common misconception that the press cannot publish the name of a minor, and this is incorrect. There are certain circumstances under which the police cannot provide the name of a minor to the media or anyone else, but a traffic collision (which is generally NOT a criminal matter) is generally not one of them.

- Carl

 

[mpritcha1]

Thankyou Carl, yer right, it is a very common misconception!

 

[CdwJava]

Thankyou Carl, yer right, it is a very common misconception!

I hear it all the time locally. One of our papers prints a complete log of what the department does each day - and often, the reporters show up at a scene and get names from others involved. Sometimes the paper prints the names of the juveniles involved - other times they don't. But, it's the editor's call in that case.

The law often restricts acts by the government (such as the release of the names of juveniles accused of crimes) but there is no law prohibiting the press from publishing these names if they should find them out through some other means. Most media outlets CHOOSE not to publish the names of juveniles, but they are not obligated to do so.

- Carl