11/6 - crj

Overview of Criminal Justice System

• Emphasis on the distinction between state and federal crimes.

  • State Crimes:

  • Examples include murder, as in the cases of Jody Arias and Robert Newlander.

  • Committed against private citizens; not politically motivated.

  • Prosecuted in state courts.

  • Federal Crimes:

  • Examples include involvement in riots (e.g., January 6 Capitol riots) and child pornography distribution.

  • Prosecuted in federal courts, leading to imprisonment in federal facilities.

• Prevalence of State Crimes vs. Federal Crimes:

  • Most cases originate in state courts; more state crimes than federal crimes.

Structure of the Court Systems

• Three Tiers of Court System:

  • Both state and federal systems consist of three levels:

  1. Trial Court:

     • Responsibilities include hearing cases firsthand with witnesses and evidence.

     • Distinction between Limited Courts (for misdemeanors) and General Courts (for felonies).

       • Limited Courts: Only handle minor offenses.

       • General Courts: Handle serious criminal cases; more formal.

  2. Appellate Court:

     • Reviews decisions made in trial courts for errors in law.

     • Not a new trial; focuses on transcripts to determine if justice was served.

  3. Supreme Court:

     • The highest court; oversees final appeals and has the power of Judicial Review, ensuring laws comply with the Constitution.

Participants in the Courtroom

• Distinction between Professionals and Non-professionals in proceedings.

Professionals (Paid Participants)

• Judge:

  • Ensures fairness and justice by overseeing court proceedings.

  • Determines rulings, hears objections, and hands down sentences.

  • In bench trials, they also determine guilt or innocence.

• Prosecutor (Representing the State):

  • Works for the victim; has the burden of proof to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

• Defense Attorney:

  • Protects the defendant's rights; does not have the burden to prove innocence.

  • Task is to cast doubt on the prosecution’s case and maintain the presumption of innocence.

• Bailiff:

  • Court officer responsible for maintaining order and ensuring security.

• Court Stenographer:

  • Responsible for transcribing every spoken word for record-keeping and potential appeals.

• Expert Witness:

  • Professionals who provide specialized knowledge relevant to the case (e.g., DNA analysts, blood splatter experts).

Non-professionals (Free Participants)

• Jurors:

  • Selected to represent a cross-section of the community; are not paid for service.

  • Must maintain impartiality and confidentiality about the case.

• Defendant:

  • Accused of the crime; has the right to be present throughout the trial.

• Victim:

  • Often overlooked in courtroom proceedings; may not always be present, especially if deceased.

• Lay Witnesses:

  • Non-expert witnesses who testify based on personal knowledge or observations without offering professional opinions.

• Spectators and Media:

  • Members of the public and press may be present, impacting the atmosphere and possibly influencing perceptions of the case.

Roles and Responsibilities of Courtroom Participants

Judge's Responsibilities

• Ensures fairness and procedural justice in court.

• Can overrule or sustain objections made by attorneys.

• Ultimately responsible for sentencing outcomes in certain types of cases.

Prosecutor vs. Defense Attorney Roles

• Prosecutor:

  • Seeks to prove the defendant's guilt beyond reasonable doubt; works with law enforcement in investigating cases.

• Defense Attorney:

  • May not prove innocence but aims to discredit prosecution's evidence, ensuring due process is upheld for the defendant.

Financial Aspects of Legal Representation

• Types of Attorneys:

• Private Attorneys:

  • Hired by defendants who can afford legal representation (e.g., O.J. Simpson's $10 million defense).

• Public Defenders:

  • Government-funded lawyers for defendants who cannot afford private attorneys. Work under limited resources; often overwhelmed with caseloads.

• Court-Appointed Attorneys:

  • Assigned to defendants unable to afford representation; not always the same as public defenders specifically.

The Case of O.J. Simpson: Overview of Events

• Incident Overview:

  • O.J. Simpson accused of double murder of ex-wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman.

• Investigation:

  • Evidence includes bloody glove, shoe prints, and a blue knit cap.

• Initial Police Response:

  • Undercover officers found evidence indicating a strong suspect (O.J.) connection.

Public and Media Reaction

• The case garnered significant media attention, creating a highly publicized and racially charged atmosphere.

• Many Americans followed the developments closely, with television captures of events like the infamous Bronco chase and courtroom proceedings.

Trial Highlights

• Attorney teams assembled around O.J. (the 'Dream Team') included personalities such as Robert Shapiro and Johnny Cochran.

  • Defense strategy focused on discrediting evidence and introducing themes of police racism and corruption.

• Key Trial Dates and Events:

  • DNA evidence collection and conflicts surrounding police procedure introduced concerns of evidence contamination.

  • The defense portrayed a narrative of conspiracy against Simpson, resulting in jury sympathy.

Verdict and Its Implications

• Outcome:

  • Simpson acquitted after a highly publicized trial, which divided public opinion along racial lines.

  • The case left a mixed legacy on issues of justice, race relations, and media influence in legal proceedings.

Ethical Considerations in Legal Process

• Complexity of interactions between law enforcement, prosecution, and defense attorneys.

• Importance of maintaining fair access to justice regardless of socioeconomic status.

• The ethical implications surrounding victim treatment in court and the role of media in shaping public perception of trials.