COURTROOM SCENES IN FILM AND LITERATURE and LEGAL TERMINOLOGY Mr. McGowan – English 11/Lit as Film

A FEW GOOD MEN “YOU CAN”T HANDLE THE TRUTH!” –Lt. Daniel Caffey (Tom Cruise) Colonel Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson)

“You can’t handle the truth!” “You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!” –Col. Nathan Jessep, USMC “You can't handle the truth! Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it! I'd rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!” –Col. Nathan Jessep, USMC

MY COUSIN VINNY

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

“TRIALS OF THE CENTURY” O.J. SIMPSON – 1995 “If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit.”

“Scopes Monkey Trial” ISSUE: The Teaching of EVOLUTION in Public Schools

Sacco and Vanzetti Executed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on 8/23/27 Electrocuted at Boston State Prison (now Bunker Hill Community College)

Legal/Courtroom Terms WARRANT WARRANT The police came to my door with a search warrant, and I had to let them in. The police came to my door with a search warrant, and I had to let them in. The court issued an arrest warrant for the fugitive. The court issued an arrest warrant for the fugitive. Written order from a judge Written order from a judge SEARCH, ARREST, EXECUTION SEARCH, ARREST, EXECUTION

Legal terms, cntd. CONTEMPT CONTEMPT After his outburst, Mark was removed from the courtroom and was found in contempt of court. After his outburst, Mark was removed from the courtroom and was found in contempt of court. Disrespect, disruption, failure to obey an order from a judge Disrespect, disruption, failure to obey an order from a judge AFFIDAVIT The witness signed an affidavit which indicated that the defendant had been present the night of September 5. Formal, sworn statement of fact, used as testimony

DEPOSITION DEPOSITION The lawyer presented a deposition of five witnesses as evidence. The lawyer presented a deposition of five witnesses as evidence. Evidence given under oath and recorded for use in court at a later date Evidence given under oath and recorded for use in court at a later date PLEA PLEA The defendant entered a plea of not guilty, so the trial commenced. The defendant entered a plea of not guilty, so the trial commenced. Statement by a defendant, guilty or not guilty. Statement by a defendant, guilty or not guilty. PROSECUTION The prosecution has seventeen witnesses who will testify against the defendant. Criminal cases – government, brings charges against defendant; has the BURDEN OF PROOF DEFENDANT The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to fifteen years in prison. Person accused of a crime; entitled to an attorney

PLAINTIFF PLAINTIFF Mr. Smith sued Mr. Johnson; since the plaintiff won, Mr. Johnson had to pay $50,000 damages. Mr. Smith sued Mr. Johnson; since the plaintiff won, Mr. Johnson had to pay $50,000 damages. Civil cases only (Person vs. Person), person who sues another person for damages Civil cases only (Person vs. Person), person who sues another person for damages HEARING HEARING My hearing is going to be on Wednesday; if it doesn’t go well, the trial will probably start on Friday. My hearing is going to be on Wednesday; if it doesn’t go well, the trial will probably start on Friday. Pre-trial, examine evidence and decide if there will be a trial Pre-trial, examine evidence and decide if there will be a trial IPSO FACTO IPSO FACTO “By the fact itself”; “By its very nature” “By the fact itself”; “By its very nature”

The Trial of Giles Corey The Trial of George Jacobs