There is no due process in the court of public opinion, the unofficial judicial system that matters most in today’s Social Media saturated 24 hours a day news cycle.
Reputations are tarnished and careers destroyed, leaving those accused unable to earn a living supporting themselves or their families.
When due process is ignored bad things can happen, just ask The Orwells.
On August 29, 2018, suburban Elmhurst Chicago rock band The Orwells, lead singer Mario Cuomo, rhythm section brothers Grant (bass) and Henry Brinner (drums) along with guitarist Dominic Corso, announced they’d disbanded after being fired by their record label in light of serious allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct made against them.
In the immediate aftermath following these allegations, The Orwells issued a statement to Paste magazine expressly denying the claims.
According to the BBC, the band responded by stating they “emphatically deny these baseless allegations” suggesting they were a “personal attack”. The Orwells acknowledged that they had used “callow altercations and vulgar language” in the past, but emphasized that accusations of sexual assault were unfounded. They clarified that no member of the band had ever acted without consent or taken advantage of anyone maliciously.
Almost a year later, on June 15, 2019, lead singer Mario Cuomo posted the band’s scrapped unreleased self-titled fourth studio album onto his own personal YouTube channel, with a statement reading “Hey everybody. I could not wait any longer for this record to be heard. Sorry it has taken so long but it would have taken even longer if I didn’t make the decision to self release this album. Self recorded, self titled, self released. The Orwells.” The album’s cover is blank and contains just the band’s name and text reading “We had an album cover we wanted to use, but after getting dropped by our label we can no longer afford to use it. So instead you can stare at this blank square.”
This Orwells album with the blank cover is Rock N Roll Fashionistas Album Of The Week for the week ending Sunday July 13, 2025.
A little over two years ago, on March 1, 2023, The Orwells announced their return with the double sided single “Bar Fly / Friendly Fire”. Along with the single the band released a statement saying “Almost five years ago, we were falsely accused of inappropriate conduct by a group of people we had never met. Their untrue but sensational rumors led us to take a break to address the situation. We saw no choice but to take legal action and filed a business tort and defamation suit. We are satisfied with the progress in our case and will keep you posted.”
To date, close to a decade after the original accusations were made, no member of The Orwells have had charges laid against them. While several women came forward with allegations of rape, statutory rape, and sending unsolicited nude photos, no formal charges have ever been filed. The band continues to deny the claims.
What is due process and why it matters.
Simply put, due process is the legal principle wherein individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Why due process matters.
Due process is a vital legal principle that mandates honoring all legal rights owed to individuals, ensuring fair treatment and protecting against arbitrary or unjust actions. This principle is increasingly significant in today’s landscape, particularly with the rise of social media and cancel culture, which can lead to severe, unilateral consequences for individuals based on public perception rather than established legal procedures.
Here’s why due process is essential:
Protection of Individual Rights: Due process serves as a crucial barrier against overreach, safeguarding individuals’ life, liberty, and property from random or unjust actions.
Fairness and Justice: It guarantees that individuals can adequately present their cases, contest accusations, and ensure their rights are upheld during a fair and impartial process.
Upholding the Rule of Law: Due process is fundamental to the rule of law, affirming that everyone, irrespective of their position or influence, is subject to the same legal standards and safeguards.
Prevention of Wrongful Convictions: By enforcing fair procedures, due process plays a key role in preventing wrongful convictions, ensuring accountability for the guilty while protecting the innocent.
Safeguarding Against Abuse of Power: It acts as a critical check on unilateral authority, deterring arbitrary or unjust actions, especially in a climate where public opinion can swiftly and harshly impact personal reputations and lives.
In an era where the repercussions of social media actions can be severe and immediate, adhering to due process becomes essential to uphold justice and individual rights.
To be continued…