NCJ Number
43952
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS SEMIDOCUMENTARY FILM PORTRAYS ASPECTS OF THE LEGAL PROCESS IN GENERAL, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON THE JURY SYSTEM; IT IS DESIGNED FOR USE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION, JURY ORIENTATION, AND SECONDARY AND POSTSECONDARY INSTRUCTION.
Abstract
BY EXAMINING THE ROLES OF THE THREE JURORS -- ONE SERVING ON A CIVIL CASE, ONE ON A CRIMINAL CASE, AND ONE WHO 'SITS AND WAITS,' -- COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT JURY DUTY ARE DISPELLED. THE PROCESS OF JURY SELECTION FROM VOTER LISTS IS DESCRIBED; THE FILM THEN FOLLOWS THE THREE REPRESENTATIVE JURORS, EACH WITH A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE ABOUT JURY DUTY, THROUGH THEIR PERIODS OF SERVICE. THE JURORS ARE IMPANELLED FOR INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP VOIR DIRES, DURING WHICH THE JUDGE AND ATTORNEYS QUESTION PROSPECTIVE JURORS AND ELIMINATE CERTAIN OF THEM EITHER 'FOR CAUSE' OR BY 'PEREMPTORY CHALLENGE.' THE TRIAL PROCESS IS EXAMINED FROM THE JUDGE'S INITIAL REMARKS TO THE PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE, QUESTIONING OF WITNESSES, CLOSING REMARKS OF THE ATTORNEYS, JUDGE'S CHARGE TO THE JURY, AND DELIBERATIONS. THE CONCEPT OF CIVIC DUTY INHERENT TO JURY SERVICE IS STRESSED THROUGH THE EXAMPLE OF A JUROR WHO IS NEVER CALLED TO SIT ON A JURY, BUT SERVES NONETHELESS MERELY BY BEING AVAILABLE IN THE JURY WAITING ROOM. THE FILM COMBINES NARRATION AND DRAMATIC ENACTMENT.