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The Bill of Rights
This program presents the ten key constitutional amendments that have defined the fundamental liberties that are the American birthright—and examines the controversies and challenges they have withstood. (61 minutes)
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Court, Trials, and Sentencing: Due Process (32:23)
According to prime-time television, criminals are brought to justice in a speedy and efficient yet drama-filled manner. In reality, the process can be slow and meticulous, as rules must be followed to safeguard the defendant’s constitutional rights. This program provides a solid grounding in the processes and players involved in the court system and takes viewers step by step through a trial and sentencing. Legal experts explain probable cause, plea bargaining, the types of witness testimony that might be challenged, and other key elements, including how juvenile offenders are dealt with.
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Equal Justice Under Law : Landmark Cases in Supreme Court History
The objective of this series is to clarify the role of the Supreme Court in relation to the other branches and levels of government in the U.S. by dramatizing some of the major precedents established by Chief Justice John Marshall. 6 part series, 30 minutes each.
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Insanity in the Courtroom : Mental Illness and the Search for Justice
If a person is deemed mentally unfit to stand trial for a capital crime, should the state be allowed to administer drugs so the person is healthy enough to be tried and sentenced to death? This ABC News program reports on this legal paradox in the case of Russell Weston, a paranoid schizophrenic who allegedly killed two policemen in 1998 and whose lawyers have kept him from medication. (23 minutes)
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Judicial Opinions : The Supreme Court Justices
With every ruling, the nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court shape the judicial landscape of America—and the lives of its citizens. In this NewsHour program, journalists take a close look at several renowned jurists and their decisions. (68 minutes)
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Plea Bargains : Dealing for Justice
The vast majority of criminal cases end in plea bargains. 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. (26 minutes)
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Race on Trial
Does the American justice system treat people differently based on their race? In this ABC News program, correspondent Michel Martin reports on the startlingly disparate outcomes of two almost identical drug-related cases tried one after another in a Boston court. (23 minutes)
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Try these videos to get started. Must be on campus or login with your COM account for off campus access.
