Petition · Ministry of Justice

Make it an offence to publish suspect details before they are charged

Open for signatures 14 signatures

What the petition asks

We want publishing details of a suspect before they have been charged with a crime to be an offence to protect innocent people being destroyed by false allegations. Public naming before charge can cause irreversible harm to innocent people. Some people lose their jobs reputations & mental wellbeing.
Some people’s lives are being torn apart by public accusations before any charge is made. Jobs are lost, families suffer and mental health collapses under judgement for allegations that may never lead to a charge. We therefore call for naming a suspect before they are charged with a crime to be an offence, so people are not destroyed by premature exposure and can keep their dignity while the justice process runs its course.

Timeline

12 Aug 2026 Petition opened for signatures

Key facts

Signatures 14
Status Open for signatures
Department Ministry of Justice
Opened 12 Aug 2026

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 13 Aug 2026.