"whose names are not released for legal reasons"

[PVish]

why cant they just say " their names are not being released because they are kids"

Or becuase they are related to the victim.

fgs

Because either might give you a clue as to who they are.

but "because they are under 18"

surely ok?

Could legal reason also mean they are awaiting trial, so not necessarily kids?

Why does it matter? There are lots of reasons why names cannot be released, not just under 18. And under some circumstances the names of under 18s ARE released.

'for legal reasons' covers a variety of situations so is easiest phrase to use maybe.
Or maybe it's just no one else's business???

I think claws is right, age might not be the only "legal reason" they cannot release the name.

I know prior to trial names are not released to stop mis-trials and unfair publicity. Also to stop witnesses being identified.

seeker's right, lots of reasons why names may not be released - and if the media did specify a reason, it might lead to their identity becoming known.

its just an irksome cliche

Firstly, it's short and concise - important when you have to get a lot of facts into a short period of time - court reporting is often complex and a lot of things have to be said to provide balance. Secondly, if they've been asked to provide total anonymity by the courts then they have to do just that, they can't start farting around with it by saying - we can't say who they are but they're children, or we can't say who they are because they're also up on another charge