In this paper I will look at the film Twelve Angry Men (1957) by Sidney Lumet. In short the film is about a criminal case in America in which a young Hispanic boy is accused of killing his father and the twelve members of the jury have to decide on his verdict. In this case “guilty” means death. After talking about the film in more detail I will also look at the jury system in America and discuss some of its most important aspects, e.g. jury selection, possible verdicts or the principle “Burden of Proof”. In doing so, I will raise questions on how fair the jury system really is and what its weaknesses or points of criticism might be. I will then also discuss the various roles and duties of jurors and I will include ethical problems they might be confronted with in their deliberations. Furthermore, the question if a jury is capable of reaching a fair and legally correct verdict will be discussed and being looked at from different perspectives. To conclude this paper I will show why the jury system, despite its controversial position, is still used and probably will never be abolished.
Table of Contents
1) Introduction
2) The film – Twelve Angry Men
2.1. Plot
2.2 Characters
3) The Jury System in the USA
3.1. Selection of Jury
3.2. Role of the Jury During the Trial
3.3. Burden of Proof
3.4. The Verdict
3.4.1. Jury Nullification
4) Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the ethical complexities and systemic challenges of the American jury system through the lens of Sidney Lumet’s film Twelve Angry Men. It analyzes the functionality of jury deliberations, the potential for bias, and the critical tension between legal procedures and the pursuit of justice.
- Analysis of the jury system in the United States legal framework.
- Character study and ethical evaluation of the jurors in Twelve Angry Men.
- Investigation of jury selection processes and the concept of "voir dire."
- Exploration of the "Burden of Proof" and the implications of "reasonable doubt."
- Discussion on the democratic significance and controversy of jury nullification.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1. Selection of Jury
The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides that all accused have the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases. The Seventh Amendment guarantees the right of a trial by jury in civil cases when the value of controversy exceeds twenty dollars. It is interesting however that the main body of the Constitution as passed did not mention a general right to trial by jury (Abadinski).
Traditionally a jury consist of twelve persons. Reasons for the number are unknown, it is speculated that it is based on the Biblical twelve prophets and twelve apostles. The recent trend in the United States also permits juries with less than twelve members. As of 1976 twenty-six states allowed this establishment (Brody).
Jurors are selected randomly from a fair cross-section of the society. The first step is to draw a panel of possible jurors. This is called venire or juror pool. This panel is usually chosen from the voter’s registration list or from other sources like driving licence holders or tax rolls, depending whether it is a federal or state court. The second step is to narrow the numbers of people in the venire in order to select the twelve jurors for the case. This process is called “voir dire”. Its purpose is to find an unbiased and representative jury. In this stage, the panel is being asked questions in order to find out who is biased, related to the case or prejudiced. If any of these reasons apply, jurors can be excluded from the service “for cause” (ucsd). Each side can also exclude a certain number of jurors (two to six) from the panel without naming any reasons. The Fourteenth Amendment states jurors are not allowed to be challenged or excluded because of their race or gender (Clack).
Summary of Chapters
1) Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's focus on the film Twelve Angry Men and introduces the research intent to examine the fairness, weaknesses, and ethical duties inherent in the American jury system.
2) The film – Twelve Angry Men: This section provides an overview of the film’s plot regarding a capital murder trial and delivers a detailed character analysis of the twelve jurors, highlighting their varied personal biases and attitudes.
3) The Jury System in the USA: This central chapter discusses the theoretical and practical aspects of the jury system, including constitutional rights and the social role of jurors in the administration of justice.
3.1. Selection of Jury: This sub-chapter explains the constitutional basis for jury trials and the "voir dire" selection process, while questioning the effectiveness of obtaining a truly unbiased jury.
3.2. Role of the Jury During the Trial: This section explores the passive nature of jurors during trials, the importance of judicial instructions, and the requirement for jurors to focus solely on the facts presented.
3.3. Burden of Proof: This chapter defines the state's responsibility to prove guilt and examines the challenges of establishing "reasonable doubt" in cases relying heavily on witness credibility.
3.4. The Verdict: This part details the deliberation process, the requirement for unanimity, and the rare occurrence of mistrials or hung juries.
3.4.1. Jury Nullification: This section examines the controversial practice where juries return a "Not Guilty" verdict despite believing the defendant is guilty, arguing its democratic implications.
4) Conclusion: The concluding chapter synthesizes the arguments, reaffirming the jury system as a vital, though flawed, democratic institution that helps prevent corruption and maintains community connection to the law.
Keywords
Jury System, Twelve Angry Men, Sidney Lumet, Voir Dire, Reasonable Doubt, Burden of Proof, Jury Nullification, Legal Ethics, Fair Trial, Judicial Procedure, Constitutional Law, Impartiality, Juror Responsibility, American Legal System, Verdict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the ethical issues within the American legal system as depicted in the film Twelve Angry Men, specifically focusing on the function, fairness, and responsibilities of the jury.
What central themes are addressed regarding the jury?
Key themes include the jury selection process, the burden of proof, the impact of juror prejudice, and the controversial concept of jury nullification.
What is the main objective of the author?
The author aims to investigate whether the jury system is capable of delivering fair verdicts, considering the inherent biases of laypeople and the potential for information overload during trials.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The author utilizes a descriptive and interpretive analysis, combining legal theory from scholarly sources with a narrative analysis of the characters and events in the film Twelve Angry Men.
What does the main body cover?
The main body details the mechanics of the U.S. jury system, starting from selection (voir dire), moving through the trial role of jurors, the evidentiary requirements of the burden of proof, and concluding with the deliberation and verdict process.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is characterized by terms such as Jury System, Reasonable Doubt, Burden of Proof, Jury Nullification, Legal Ethics, and Impartiality.
How does the film Twelve Angry Men illustrate the problems of the jury system?
The film illustrates issues such as individual prejudice (e.g., the racist juror), lack of legal expertise among jurors, and the pressure to reach a quick verdict versus the necessity of thorough deliberation.
What is the author's final stance on the jury system?
The author concludes that despite its significant flaws and potential for inconsistency, the jury system should persist because it acts as a democratic safeguard against total control by the state or a single judge.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Mag. BSc Elisabeth Kuster (Autor:in), 2007, Twelve Angry Men (1957) by Sidney Lumet - an Analysis, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/182968
