Four States Case Files aims to report criminal cases and court proceedings accurately, fairly and with clear sourcing. These standards describe the principles we work toward.
Accurate sourcing
Reporting is intended to rely on publicly available court records, official law enforcement statements and other documented case information. Where source documents are available, they are listed with the article under “Sources & Court Records.”
Allegations are not convictions
An arrest or criminal charge is an accusation. A person is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law. Articles are intended to distinguish clearly between allegations, charges, pleas, verdicts and sentences, and to describe the current status of a case as documented at the time of publication.
Corrections and updates
When a material error is identified, we intend to correct it promptly. Articles are dated, and an updated date appears when a published article has been revised.
Care with sensitive cases
Cases involving victims, and particularly women and children, call for added care. We aim to report the documented facts without unnecessary detail.