NCJ Number
37898
Date Published
1972
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM PORTRAYS A YOUNG MAN'S STRUGGLE TO DEAL WITH A JUDICIAL SYSTEM HE FEELS IS IRRELEVANT TO HIM AND TO THE ACCIDENT HE WAS INVOLVED IN - HE FEELS THAT HE SHOULD BE JUDGED ON THE FACTS, NOT ON HIS PAST.
Abstract
A COLLEGE STUDENT INVOLVED IN AN AUTO ACCIDENT REJECTS THE STANDARDS BY WHICH THE COURT FINDS HIM GUILTY, AND DECIDES THAT JUSTICE HAS NOT BEEN SERVED BY THE LEGAL PROCESS. WILLIAM POPPER IS ACCUSED OF VEHICULAR HOMICIDE FOR THE DEATH OF AN OLD WOMAN, MRS CONROY. HE TELLS THE POLICE, HIS FATHER AND HIS UNCLE, A LAWYER, THAT IT WAS AN ACCIDENT. IT WAS DARK AND RAINING, AND THE OLD WOMAN HAD COME OUT OF NOWHERE, STEPPING OFF A CURB INTO THE STREET. HE HAD SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND SWERVED TO AVOID HITTING HER, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE. WILLIAM'S UNCLE IMPRESSES UPON HIM THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS ACTIONS AND APPEARANCE SUBSEQUENT TO AND DURING THE TRIAL. HE COACHES HIM ON HOW TO BEHAVE IN COURT, BUT WILLIAM'S ATTITUDE IS THAT HIS BEHAVIOR IS IRRELEVANT. HITTING MRS CONROY WAS AN ACCIDENT, AND HE THINKS THE FACTS OF THE ACCIDENT SHOULD BE THE ONLY BASIS FOR JUDGMENT, NOT HOW HE LOOKS OR EXPRESSES HIMSELF IN COURT. WILLIAM IS SENTENCED TO ONE YEAR AT HARD LABOR. THE JUDGE'S DECISION IS BASED LARGELY ON WILLIAM'S POOR DRIVING RECORD - 22 UNPAID PARKING TICKETS, AN EXPIRED DRIVER'S LICENSE, FAULTY BRAKES AND BALD TIRES. WILLIAM, ON IMPULSE, ESCAPES FROM THE COURTHOUSE BEFORE HE CAN BE ESCORTED TO JAIL. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)