NCJ Number
155680
Journal
ABA Journal Volume: 81 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 72-76
Date Published
1995
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The O. J. Simpson murder trial has given millions of people a sense that they are now personally familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the adversary process; this newfound knowledge could easily lead to wide-ranging changes to both the criminal and civil justice systems.
Abstract
However, attorneys seem unaware of what is about to happen and some dismiss the public's fascination with the Simpson trial. The common views that have emerged are that justice can be bought, the trial is costing the public too much, and attorneys on both sides are engaged in tricky behavior. Other views are that the judge is ineffective, inefficient judges should be removed, the rules of evidence encourage enormous wastes of time, the jury system itself is flawed, the rules of evidence should be revised to make them more efficient, attorneys should be punished for bad behavior in trials, and the Federal and State constitutions should be amended in relation to jury unanimity. Photographs