The Essence of Our Legal System

The Essence of Our Legal System

Spending time in the courtroom is definitely not like spending time in front of the television set watching Law and Order. In fact, the two are really nothing alike. A room full of observers and people invested in the case usually does not present itself in the actual courtroom. The attorneys are not amazing orators who know just what to say to change the entire outcome of the case. Media personnel are no where to be found. Sometimes one may even think that the courtrooms are deserted historical sights only open for special occasions. All of these things came as quite a shock to me when I spent my time in the courts. At times my experience was interesting and fun, but more often it was boring and not so much fun. Despite all of the unexpected, one aspect of the courtroom was very similar to what I see on television: the jury. The jury was the only thing I could look to for comfort in my unfamiliar and unforeseen courtroom experience. The juries in the county courts were exactly like the ones in Law and Order. They sat in the corner quietly and got up and walked out when they were dismissed. They came back and sat in their seats when the proceedings started again, and they only spoke when they were spoken to. They were very respectful to the judge, the courtroom and the entire system. The jury is that special aspect of the courtroom that makes it something safe and familiar. It is important to incorporate the jury in analyzing the legal system by looking at its role in the system and other social and psychological