Perspective

Managing Public Perception: The Role of Crisis Media Strategies During Pre-Charge Investigations

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Holborn Adams

February 4, 2025


Though we may not always think of it that way, our reputations are one of our most fragile assets. In today’s media-saturated world, where public opinion can shape careers and destroy personal lives overnight, “managing the narrative” during a legal crisis is critical. In the past, this was mainly true for high-profile and high-net-worth individuals. However, cases like that of Dale Semper indicate that nobody is safe from media exploitation.

The truth is that most people who find themselves accused of a crime are entirely unprepared to simultaneously navigate the complexities of the legal system and the intense judgment of the “court of public opinion.” In this article, the team at Holborn Adams, one of the leading high-profile criminal defence solicitors in the UK, will discuss  the importance of reputation management during criminal investigations.

The Public’s Role in High-Profile Legal Cases

Like it or not, public perception plays a significant role in shaping outcomes for high-profile legal cases. And when the public consumes information through news outlets and social media platforms, they typically form opinions based on incomplete or sensationalized narratives. In extreme instances, this can create a ripple effect, influencing jury pools, judicial discretion, and even the trajectory of the investigation itself.

Celebrity legal defence experts agree that media coverage in these cases tends to amplify the stakes. After all, it’s hard to argue that sensational headlines and speculative reporting can damage a client’s reputation before any evidence is presented. Either way, the public may come to view the accused as guilty simply because of the nature of the allegations or because they have a preconceived bias of some sort.

Social media further exacerbates this problem by allowing misinformation to spread rapidly, fuelling outrage and leaving little room for nuance. Here, hashtags and viral posts can quickly shape public opinion, complicating the client’s efforts to maintain their reputation and fair treatment.

 

The Public’s Role in High-Profile Legal Cases

Despite these challenges, the UK legal system often strives to uphold fairness through mechanisms like jury instructions, gag orders, and venue changes. Unfortunately, such safeguards often do little to mitigate the reputational damage caused by widespread media coverage.

For this reason, strategic media management is crucial. And where this used to only be true of celebrity legal representation and high-profile clients, the constant, pervasive nature of news media has now made such efforts far more ubiquitous.

Holborn Adams saw this occur in real-time when defending Phil Middlemiss, a former Coronation Street star publicly accused of crimes related to the Airbus bribery scandal before being acquitted. Of course, this is just one example in a long line of cases that were heavily influenced by the UK media.

The point is: legal representatives can no longer simply concentrate on the court case and ignore media-related factors. Defence lawyers in London, Manchester, and other cities with a large media presence must have a strategy for controlling the narrative and ensuring the public is not misled by false information or unfair assumptions.

Top view of business crisis manager stopping falling dominos from collapsing. Over navy blue background.

 

Media Strategies Employed by High-Profile Criminal Defence Solicitors

Managing the media during a pre-charge investigation requires a combination of legal expertise and public relations acumen. High-profile criminal defence solicitors like Holborn Adams typically employ tailored strategies to protect their clients’ reputations while ensuring that legal proceedings remain fair and focused. In Holborn Adams’ case, several strategies have been extremely useful, whether the team is providing crisis management for athletes or dealing with wrongful charges.

  • Media embargoes – These embargoes delay the release of sensitive information to prevent premature or inaccurate reporting. By controlling the timing of information, solicitors can help manage how the narrative unfolds, ensuring that damaging misconceptions don’t spread.
  • Prepared statements – These are carefully crafted messages designed to provide neutral or favourable updates to the public. They often highlight the client’s cooperation with the investigation while emphasizing their presumption of innocence. Such statements help shift the focus away from speculation and toward the facts, a critical aspect of celebrity legal representation.
  • Selective disclosures – Defence teams can help combat harmful narratives and present their client more positively by strategically releasing exculpatory evidence or correcting inaccuracies in media reports. That said, confidentiality and client privacy remain paramount. Therefore, any information shared must be carefully vetted to avoid compromising the investigation or the client’s legal position.

These are just some common media strategies in criminal defence. However, it’s important to note that such tactics need to be balanced with a deep understanding of the media landscape. In the end, every celebrity or athlete law firm in the UK knows that client privacy is as important as managing public perception. Regardless of how high profile the accused is, firm must craft media strategies that align with their legal defence.

 

Pre-Charge Investigations in the Media

Pre-charge investigations are particularly sensitive, as individuals often find themselves under intense scrutiny despite the lack of formal accusations. Again, the media’s role is to inform the public about alleged crimes while maintaining ethical boundaries to protect the rights of the accused. However, these lines are not always respected, and excessive reporting can lead to undue pressure on law enforcement, the judicial system, and the accused.

Whilst media coverage during a pre-charge investigation can sometimes serve constructive purposes, such as encouraging witnesses to come forward, it also poses significant risks. For example, releasing details about a suspect’s personal life or prior behaviour can bias public opinion and fuel the spread of misinformation. This “trial by media” undermines the principle of presumed innocence and complicates the accused’s efforts to defend themselves both legally and publicly.

Once again, solicitors must demonstrate effective media management while providing pre-charge legal help. This includes maintaining their clients’ rights under investigation, addressing inaccuracies early, and managing the flow of information. As one might expect, case studies review that those clients who engage legal representation possessing a high degree of media savvy often achieve better outcomes, both in court and in the public eye.

Crisis Management for Athletes and Celebrities

For athletescelebrities, and other high-profile individuals, the stakes of a pre-charge investigation extend far beyond the legal realm. In their case, a single headline can result in sponsorship losses, contract cancellations, and public backlash. These challenges make crisis management an essential part of legal defence for public figures.

According to Holborn Adams, the best approach to crisis management is a comprehensive one. This includes crafting proactive messaging to counteract negative narratives while also leveraging relationships with journalists to help guide coverage. The firm’s years of experience in UK sports law have demonstrated how quickly the public can turn on high-net-worth individuals they perceive as privileged or spoiled. However, the team can humanize their story by highlighting their contributions to charity or their achievements off the field. These efforts help balance public perception, reducing the risk of long-term reputational damage.

 

Lessons for High-Profile Individuals

High-profile individuals (and, to a certain degree, average UK citizens) need to recognize that their legal battles are often fought on two fronts: in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion. Engaging legal representation with expertise in both law and media management is essential for achieving a favourable outcome in each arena simultaneously. Firms like Holborn Adams offer the dual advantage of possessing both extensive legal acumen and public relations expertise, ensuring that clients’ rights and reputations are protected on all fronts.

But regardless of which London defence lawyers you hire, universal best practices for managing public perception during investigations still apply. All of these tactics, from avoiding direct engagement with the media and deferring all communication to legal professionals to ensuring early intervention, can help shape the public narrative from the outset and minimize the risk of reputational harm.

 

Conclusion

For those accused of a crime, the modern media landscape is a place where public perception can be as important as the legal outcome. To navigate this environment effectively, clients of all backgrounds require both strategic media management and expert legal defence.

Holborn Adams’ expertise in pre-charge investigations and crisis media strategies provides clients with the tools they need to navigate these challenges effectively. If you or someone you know is facing a high-profile legal investigation, contact Holborn Adams for discreet, effective representation that safeguards both your rights and your reputation.


Holborn Adams

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