Government - Judicial Branch: Films & Videos

Featuring criminal justice professors and an Appellate Chief Justice, this program explores criminal court procedures and outlines the structure of the federal and state court systems. It differentiates between misdemeanors and felonies; covers probable cause, habeas corpus, and corpus delicti; and discusses juvenile violations. The program also considers grand juries and evidence and details permissible questions.

eptember 24, 1789—the first United States Congress establishes the basic structure of the federal judiciary. With this act, the American legal system becomes an entity entwined with our fundamental notions of democracy and fair government, equal in power and authority to the executive and legislative branches. This program guides viewers through the history of the judiciary and illustrates how it works in theory and practice. Topics include the main purposes of the judicial branch—specifically, interpreting the law, determining if laws are unconstitutional, and applying the law to individual cases; the various divisions and levels of courts, such as lower, appellate, and specialized courts; the unique powers of the Supreme Court; summaries of famous Supreme Court cases; and more.

In this program, various legal experts explain pretrial and trial procedures, pointing out along the way differences in juvenile proceedings. Judges and lawyers navigate the pretrial process, beginning with the establishment of probable cause and formal charging by grand jury. Indictment, pretrial release, bail, and arraignment are also discussed. Such concepts as an alibi, burden of proof, and reasonable doubt are clearly explained. Finally, a panel of experts comments on a sentencing hearing and punishment, along with the defendant’s constitutional right to appeal.

The vast majority of criminal cases end in plea bargains. No one argues that this is the most just way—only the most efficient. This program examines what happens when the deal is struck: who gets out of jail, who doesn’t, and who decides what kind of deal to make. Filmed behind the scenes, deep inside the nation’s criminal justice system, it presents an ugly picture that has little to do with justice.