Introduction to Twelve Angry Men

1. Introduction to Twelve Angry Men Mayfield

2. Agenda: • History on Twelve Angry Men • How is the Law Involved? • History of Criminal Law • Selection of a Jury • Function of a Jury • Law of Evidence • Related issues and themes • Setting the Stage: Responsibility, plot summary

3. History on Twelve Angry Men • The play was inspired by the author, Reginald Rose’s, experience of jury service • The 12 “Angry Men” are the individuals that make up a trial jury for the purposes of hearing a legal case and interpreting the facts, and finally returning with a verdict of either guilty or not guilty for the accused

4. History of Criminal Law • Early Juries • Trial by jury was brought to England in the mid 11th Century (1066) • In Medieval Europe, trials were usually decided by ordeals, where it was believed that God intervened, “revealing the wrongdoer and upholding the righteous” • i.e. Ordeal by Water: the person who was accused was “tested” in water. If the accused floated then it meant he/she was guilty (surfacing to be punished), and if the accused sank, it meant that he/she was innocent… • In 1215, the Catholic Church decided that truth by ordeal was merely superstitious, and they needed a more credible system

5. Early Juriescont’d • The first jury was made up of local people who were expected to know the defendant • Jurors were to “say the truth” (nowadays it is called “deliberating toward a verdict”) • By the 14th Century, the role of the jury finally became that of judgment by evidence • By the 15th Century, trial by jury became the dominant mode of resolving legal issues, and it was not until centuries later that the jury assumed a more modern role of deciding on facts on that which is heard in a court of law

6. Selection of a Jury • A large group of citizens are called to appear before the court for jury duty (usually receiving a letter in the mail) • Each province and state (both Canada and USA) has its own qualifications for those who may be eligible to serve on a jury • Universally, jurors must be: • citizens of that nation, local residents, of majority age, of approved integrity (others must vouch for the “character” of that individual) • Both the prosecution and the defense examine the jurors to determine whether cause for challenge in any particular case exists • There are many disqualifications and exemptions from being a juror

7. Function of a Jury • Whether evidence is properly admissible or not (allowed or not) is a question for the court, but the weight and credibility of that evidence is determined by the jury • After the evidence has been presented, the two counsels, first the prosecution then the defense, “sum up” their arguments in a manner that is favorable to their own side • The judge makes a charge to the jury about the rules of law applicable in that particular case and sends them off to deliberate • Juries deliberate (consider and talk out the facts, arguments, testimony, evidence) until they reach an agreement (unanimous in criminal trial) and return to the court with a verdict as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant

8. Importance & Role of a Jury • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iKpiwpajm6I

9. Law of Evidence • Burden of Proof • Burden of producing evidence beyond all reasonable doubt (persuading the jury to believe) rests with the prosecution to prove guilt using: • due process: a set of procedures designed to make sure that people are treated fairly by the government • based on the idea that a person cannot be deprived of life, liberty or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards

10. Law of Evidence cont’d • Relevance • Evidence is relevant when it has a tendency to prove or disprove disputed facts • i.e. eyewitness testimony is relevant because it can prove an event happened

11. Law of Evidence cont’d • Hearsay • Statements made outside of court by someone who is not present to testify under oath at trial • One reason for excluding this evidence is because cross-examination can’t occur, which is the opportunity for one side to ask questions to that witness in hopes of refuting his/her information/credibility

12. Law of Evidence cont’d • Witnesses • Nearly all persons with knowledge relevant to the case can testify • Expert witnesses can also be called on, which are experts in their field of work and can interpret findings, examine situations, forensics, etc. • i.e. psychologist, medical doctor, coroner

13. About the Play • The play deals with the sensitive issues of prejudice and racism, relying heavily on the portrayal of stereotypes • You must be alerted to the fact that the views of the jurors, as improper as they are (mid 20th Century), did influence the jury system/decisions for many years • This controversy emphasizes the play’s important theme of justice prevailing, even if one person stands up for what is right

14. Theme: The Triumph and Fragility of Justice • Three key elements of the Judicial system are demonstrated in the play: • The defendant does not have to demonstrate his innocence. Innocent until proven guilty. • The verdict must be unanimous since unanimity guards against a miscarriage of justice. • The defendant can be convicted only in the absence of reasonable doubt. • "It is better that a guilty man be set free than an innocent man be convicted.

15. Theme: Reasonable & Unreasonable Belief • It is important to examine not only our own beliefs but also those of others. • We must ask whether these beliefs are consistent with each other and coherent with reality as we best understand it to be. • We must also examine our logic (way of thinking) and beware of our fallacies (deceptive, misleading or false beliefs) and prejudices (class, race, other). • We often let our emotions govern our decisions more than unbiased logical reasoning

16. Setting the Stage The Charge to the Jury: Responsibility • The film opens in a courtroom, wherein we see a young man who appears to belong to some ethnic minority.  We soon learn that he is on trial for the murder of his father. • The judge instructs the jury that their vote must be unanimous and that, if found guilty, the boy will face the death penalty.   • Cut to the jury room where the story takes place. • An anonymous vote is taken where all the jurors vote guilty, save one...