“Twelve Angry Men” Notes and Legal Terms

Reginald Rose ( ) Rose wrote many television plays and created the courtroom television series The Defenders. His television drama Twelve Angry Men, which he wrote after he sat on a jury, won an Emmy. The play grew out of Rose's experiences sitting on the jury of a manslaughter case in New York's General Sessions Court. Initially he resented having to serve, but his attitude changed when he entered the courtroom. He was impressed with the responsibility that was entrusted to him.

Reginald Rose Rose's scripts deal with controversial issues such as crime, bigotry, and juvenile delinquency and frequently concern individuals who must make important moral decisions. Rose stated, “In all my work,...my main purpose has been to project my own view of good and evil – and this is the essence of controversy.”

Staging – T he art of bringing a play to life on the stage or screen. 1. Involves actors, scenery, lighting, props, and sound effects 2. An important guide to the staging is the stage directions, which often provides clues to the characters' feelings and attitudes that dialogue alone may not convey.

Themes in the Play 1. Sometimes a person must have the courage to stand alone against a group 2. Reason can prevail against force 3. The United States system of justice does not always guarantee a fair trial 4. Citizens must appreciate the many responsibilities of jury service

Questions To Ask Yourself The United States legal system ensures that anyone accused of a crime receives a fair trial. What is a fair trial? What safeguards protect the rights of an accused person? What could prevent an accused person from getting a fair trial?

Questions To Ask Yourself A defendant is always presumed innocent until proven guilty. What factors might make a defendant be prejudged guilty? Are people with prejudices prevented from sitting on juries?

Questions To Ask Yourself A decision reached by majority vote is always fair. Why might a decision made by a majority be more fair than a decision made by an individual? What if a person objects to the decision of the majority? Should this person be ignored? Convinced? Criticized? Accommodated? Can you give an example from personal experience or from history in which an unfair decision was made by a majority?

Legal Terms Prosecutor – the district attorney who tries to prove the guilt of the suspect. Defense Counsel – the lawyer who represents the defendant and tries to maintain innocence. Verdict – the final decision made by the jury.

Legal Terms Foreman – a juror chosen to lead a jury and deliver the verdict to the judge. Convict – to find the suspect guilty of the crime. Acquit – to find the suspect innocent.

Legal Terms Reasonable Doubt – The element in law, which states that if a sensible amount of uncertainty, exists, a juror must vote to acquit. If jurors were not there to see the suspect commit the crime, they cannot be one hundred percent certain the suspect is guilty; however, even without being certain, they may vote to convict if they believe the defendant committed the crimes. If they have a real question in their minds as to the suspect's guilt or innocence, this is "reasonable doubt," and their votes should be to acquit.

Legal Terms Innocent until proven guilty – a fundamental principal of law that means the state must prove guilt; the suspect does not have to prove innocence. The Fifth Amendment – a fundamental principle of law which states that a person cannot be forced to testify against him or herself in a court of law. This Amendment also provides freedom from double jeopardy.

Legal Terms Double Jeopardy – a fundamental principle of law that states that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime. This means that if a defendant is acquitted, that person cannot be tried again for the same crime, even if evidence arises that proves that person's guilt.

Legal Terms Cross-examination – question a witness called by the opposing counsel. Deliberate – to consider or discuss carefully. Premeditated – planned or plotted in advance. Homicide – the killing of one person by another.