The defendant is entitled to the seven elements of ‘due process of (U.S.) law.’
• He must be presumed innocent.
• He must have the right to confront his accuser.
• The prosecution must present proof “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
• He has the right to an attorney.
• His conviction must be unanimous.
• His jury must be composed of his peers.
• He cannot be compelled to testify against himself.
Just because the defendant has the right to an attorney doesn't mean that the attorney will defend him well, as we see in the play.
ReplyDeleteEmma
Even though the defendant must be presumed innocent and proven guilty, most of the jurors looked at him as guilty right away and had to be persuaded he was innocent. It seemed as if they were persuaded too easily because the jurors did not look at the proof or testimonies too closely.
ReplyDeleteNorm- All of these themes are incorporated in this play. However I feel one, or two themes rise above the others, justice, and duty. Juror 8 felt very strongly that, the sixteen year old boy was not guilty. He believed the boy was innocent, that the boy did not stab his father. It was by his justice, and compassion that brought the rest of the jurors, aside from the third juror, onto the non-guilty side.
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