NCJ Number
13760
Date Published
Unknown
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THREE-REEL, 90 MINUTE FILM PRESENTATION OF AN UNSTAGED COURT TRIAL FROM JURY SELECTION THRU SENTENCING.
Abstract
THE TRIAL IS THE HEART OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES. 'PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE' IS AN AUDIOVISUAL PRESENTATION OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF AN ACTUAL CRIMINAL TRIAL, FILMED AS IT HAPPENED IN A WASHINGTON STATE TRIAL COURT. THE DEFENDANT IS ARRESTED DURING A NIGHT-TIME DRUG AND GAMBLING RAID AND CHARGED WITH POSSESSION OF COCAINE WITH THE INTENT TO MANUFACTURE OR DISTRIBUTE. THE FILM FOLLOWS THE ENTIRE TRIAL PROCEDURE FROM THE SELECTION OF THE JURY TO THE SENTENCING HEARING AFTER CONVICTION. IT DOCUMENTS THE OPENING STATEMENTS OF THE DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND THE PROSECUTOR, AND RECORDS THE DIRECT AND CROSS EXAMINATION OF THE WITNESSES. OPPOSING COUNSEL ARGUE ISSUES OF POSSESSION, INTENT, AND WITNESS CREDIBILITY AS EACH ATTEMPTS TO SWAY THE JURY TO HIS PARTICULAR CONCEPTION OF THE FACTS. THE FILM SHOWS THE VARIANCE OF WITNESS DEMEANOR WHEN TESTIFYING - SOME SELFASSURED, SOME VISABLY ILL-AT-EASE WHILE BEING QUESTIONED ON THE WITNESS STAND. IT FOCUSES ON MEMBERS OF THE JURY AND THEIR REACTION TO TESTIMONY ELICITED BY COMPETING ATTORNEYS. THE JURY'S RESPONSE TO THE EVIDENCE AND FINAL ARGUMENTS OF THE PROSECUTOR AND DEFENSE ATTORNEY IS MANIFESTED BY ITS VERDICT, WHICH IS PRESENTED WITH ALL THE SUSPENSE AND EMOTION THAT ACCOMPANIES THE CLIMAX OF A CRIMINAL PROCEEDING. FINALLY, OPPOSING COUNSEL AND THE DEFENDANT FACE THE JUDGE AS HE PRONOUNCES HIS SENTENCE ON THE VERDICT. THIS UNSTAGED FILM PRESENTATION OF CRIMINAL TRIAL PROCEEDINGS IS A VALUABLE AND REALISTIC INTRODUCTION TO THIS ASPECT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. A 40 MINUTE EDITED VERSION OF THE THREE-REEL, 90 MINUTE PRESENTATION REVIEWED HERE IS AVAILABLE TO FIT WITHIN THE TIME LIMITATIONS OF THE NORMAL CLASSROOM PERIOD. (SNI ABSTRACT)