Absentee Landlord: Justice
Dating back from the Ancient Greek and Roman times the justice system, up until today, has some significant flaws and in today's view it appears not only to free the guilty and imprison the innocent. Moreover it also over-compensates the bank account of the lawyers on a fairly large scale. The practice of law was once considered a worthy and honorable career; however it was not until recently that it started receiving major criticisms. Al Pacino (as Arthur Kirkland) in his final speech (Appendix A) in the movie And Justice for All points out that the justice system is flawed and that it needs to be fixed. Furthermore he suggests that being a lawyer today is not about helping mankind to achieve justice. A lawyer today, is a not a lawyer for the idealism, but for the secret deals made over a game of golf for monetary rewards; with exceptions of course.
Kirkland Walk & Talk08
Kirkland Walk & Talk09
Kirkland Walk & Talk07In this speech, Arthur Kirkland is addressing the jury. At the end of the day, whether it is just or unjust, any decision made in a court case lies with the jury. "The jury can act as a citizen's ultimate protection against oppressive laws and the oppressive enforcement of the law. When a properly instructed jury acting judicially acquits an accused, no judge or state official can reverse its decision" (Report on The Jury 5). So it is imperative for a lawyer to make a strong opening statement; bring a strong case; and have supporting evidence. Those are the aspects that the jury will look at. Robert Frost, American writer and poet, said, "A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer." Kirkland however, did not intend his opening statement to prove that he was the better lawyer for...