What may trigger a request for a venue change in a trial?

A request for a venue change in a trial can be triggered by various factors that may impact the fairness of the trial process. Publicity affecting trial fairness is a common reason for such requests. When a case has received extensive media coverage, it can lead to a prejudiced jury pool, where potential jurors may have preformed opinions or biases based on the information they have consumed. This could compromise the defendant's right to a fair trial, which is a fundamental aspect of the judicial system.

Changes in venue are sought to relocate the trial to a different jurisdiction where the jury is likely to be less influenced by external media and public sentiment surrounding the case, thereby ensuring a more impartial examination of the evidence and arguments presented.

Other options might not adequately address the core principle of trial fairness. For example, minor charges typically do not carry the same weight or public interest that would prompt significant publicity; therefore, they are less likely to require a venue change. Inaccessibility of court facilities might pose practical problems but doesn't necessarily impact the fairness of the trial itself, while difficulty in maintaining court records could be a logistical concern but would not typically justify altering the venue for fair trial purposes.