2008 Woodie Awards
Stars Behind Bars
Judicial system is blind to fame and fortune.
Susan Maltby
Issue date: 3/2/05 Section: Opinion
Lawsuits are an American mainstay and celebrity trials are now major forms of real-world-style entertainment. The ratings prove it. Audiences love to watch a hero's fall from grace and a pop star's descent to disgrace. But all the talk about preferential treatment of celebrities by the legal system is just that: talk.
Media and legal watchdogs, however enamored by high-profile trials, serve an important function whenever celebrities share the spotlight with the American legal system. True flaws in the judicial system can come to light under the camera's glare.
After the O.J. verdict, many legal experts speculated about the fairness of the premise of Right of Jury Nullification - that a criminal jury has the right to acquit the defendant, regardless of the strength of the evidence. But cases where juries decide to let a defendant off the hook based on their popularity or likeability are extremely rare.
Despite mega-hype, high-priced lawyers and public interest, the judicial system is blind to fame and fortune. Laws are designed and applied equally and fairly. If not, let the appeals begin.
The difference between Joe Schmoe's day in court and a trial for the King of Pop comes down to one obvious difference. Money.
Wealth affords a stellar defendant a costly and experienced attorney, but high-priced lawyers do not a winning case make. Great lawyers with a proven reputation can charge more for their services, but all lawyers have to start at the bottom of the ladder to success.
Although lawyers may differ in skill, style and influence any decent lawyer can argue the facts and ensure that evidence and circumstances are given adequate lip service.
The system isn't perfect but for the majority of trials, convincing arguments are pretty straightforward and verdicts are fair.
Rather than special treatment, celebrities are compromised by their own fame because they can often be found guilty in the public eye before they've set foot in the courtroom.
Despite public opinion, the legal process follows a strict set of laws that are not easily prone to discrimination.
For a better understanding of the legal basics, anyone can tune into Judge Judy or the People's Court. Occasionally, even TV judges must render a verdict that may be contrary to actual justice. The right verdict under the letter of the law might be the wrong verdict from a philosophical sense of what may be righteous.
It's a bit ironic that true justice only exists in theory for stars and paupers alike. The legal system is blind, fair and impartial, but sometimes life isn't. If you don't like it, maybe you just can't handle the truth.
Media and legal watchdogs, however enamored by high-profile trials, serve an important function whenever celebrities share the spotlight with the American legal system. True flaws in the judicial system can come to light under the camera's glare.
After the O.J. verdict, many legal experts speculated about the fairness of the premise of Right of Jury Nullification - that a criminal jury has the right to acquit the defendant, regardless of the strength of the evidence. But cases where juries decide to let a defendant off the hook based on their popularity or likeability are extremely rare.
Despite mega-hype, high-priced lawyers and public interest, the judicial system is blind to fame and fortune. Laws are designed and applied equally and fairly. If not, let the appeals begin.
The difference between Joe Schmoe's day in court and a trial for the King of Pop comes down to one obvious difference. Money.
Wealth affords a stellar defendant a costly and experienced attorney, but high-priced lawyers do not a winning case make. Great lawyers with a proven reputation can charge more for their services, but all lawyers have to start at the bottom of the ladder to success.
Although lawyers may differ in skill, style and influence any decent lawyer can argue the facts and ensure that evidence and circumstances are given adequate lip service.
The system isn't perfect but for the majority of trials, convincing arguments are pretty straightforward and verdicts are fair.
Rather than special treatment, celebrities are compromised by their own fame because they can often be found guilty in the public eye before they've set foot in the courtroom.
Despite public opinion, the legal process follows a strict set of laws that are not easily prone to discrimination.
For a better understanding of the legal basics, anyone can tune into Judge Judy or the People's Court. Occasionally, even TV judges must render a verdict that may be contrary to actual justice. The right verdict under the letter of the law might be the wrong verdict from a philosophical sense of what may be righteous.
It's a bit ironic that true justice only exists in theory for stars and paupers alike. The legal system is blind, fair and impartial, but sometimes life isn't. If you don't like it, maybe you just can't handle the truth.
