Fact v. Hollywood

[Psyclown02]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Louisianna

Well, I have an assignment in my Criminal Justice Class that is tasking me with comparing a fictional courtroom portrayal to what things would really be like. I am choosing the movie Runaway Jury. I have a few questions I would like to clarify to help me author the document.

1. How often do objections actually happen in court? I noticed in almost every hollywood courtroom portrayal some attorney goes off on his tangent, the opposing attorney objects, the judge sustains, and the offending attorney keeps going for about 10 seconds. Does this actually happen? Or do attornies tend to not break boundaries?

2. In high profile cases, is the jury every really tampered with? In Runaway Jury the jurors were researched, messed with, and their houses were robbed for information reguarding their agenda. Is this feseable? Or is this just hollywood.

3. Can one juror spin an entire jury? I know the verdict from a jury tends to have to be unanimous, but can one juror with tons of charisma sway the votes of the other 11?

4. Do people ever screw with witnesses scheduled to take the stand? I know that in hollywood portrayals, potential witnesses are bribed or killed. Does this actually happen?

5. Does jury camping actually happen? I know in the movie the defense had an entire lab setup with surveillance and backround checks and much more to research their jurors. Does this actually happen? Or is jury selection just "man this guy seems like a fair guy, let him come"

6. What is jury sequestering for? Can it be for protection? Wouldn't one just move the trial venue if this was a necessary step?

Thats all, I know it's alot but if you could answer whatever possible that would be great.

Thanks!

[Isis1]

dude, you really need to learn to do your own homework.

[Psyclown02]

Lmao, I figured I'd try.

I'm researching as we speak but I figured if anybody had any quick answers then that would be cool.

Time saving is a good thing right?

2 hours of research vs. 1 minute of somebody who knows the business, I would do it for somebody if I had the knowlege.

[Antigone*of*Greece]

Originally Posted by Psyclown02

Lmao, I figured I'd try.

I'm researching as we speak but I figured if anybody had any quick answers then that would be cool.

Time saving is a good thing right?

2 hours of research vs. 1 minute of somebody who knows the business, I would do it for somebody if I had the knowlege.

The point of homework is you doing the research and finding out for yourself. Tips and guidance in the right direction is okay but really you need to put the effort in.

If you intend a career in law, you will know that 99% (or close to it) of your time is going to be spent researching.

[Some Random Guy]

I'm researching as we speak

Then quit posting to this forum or the judge will confiscate your laptop.

If the question is "what is X like in the real world?", then perhaps you ought to get out of your home and go down to the local parish courthouse to see what a real courtroom looks like.

[Psyclown02]

Love the support guys, thanks a bunch!

[Isis1]

Originally Posted by Psyclown02

Love the support guys, thanks a bunch!

you're welcome!! and good luck!!

[justalayman]

I will give you a clue that answers at least 3 of your questions though:


John Gotti