Why are criminals allowed to cover their faces when they’re being lead from courts or cophouses? especially pedophiles and rapists, why do they retain the right to privacy and anonymity?
(I’m not sure what forum is appropriate for this, so I’m filing it under Cafe because of TV. feel free to recategorize mr mod)
Because in theory, at least, we have a legal system that says a person is innocent until proven guilty and further we have a right to privacy. So the accused has the right to anonymity. The police or DA’s office often arrange the “perp parade” to shame the accused, get points with the public or press for doing their job or be able to deal with an accused and use the threat of the parade.
“Hey, you have the right to remain silent, but that just means we have to take you to the office in cuffs with the press outside…”
It also makes the person being brought in look very guilty, so if any potential members of a jury sees it, he or she will already be just a little bit believing that he is in fact the guilty party.
Ever hear of “innocent until proven guilty”?
The point of the perp walk is to influence juries to find the person arrested guilty. Since the cops are trying to influence the jury, it’s just as much the arrested person’s right to try to preven that from happening.