Presumed Innocent

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Presumed Innocent is a 1990 film adaptation of the novel written by Scott Turow. Presumed Innocent depicts a courtroom drama where the courtroom is the focus point of the plot. Rusty Sabich (Harrison Ford) is the main character of the film who is a prosecutor that is charged with the murder of his co-worker and ex lover. As the film unfolds, the viewer sees courtroom participants acting in an unethical matter and how this hurts them in the end. Rusty Sabich has to prove his innocence while trying to solve the murder of the woman he had a romantic history with. Rusty Sabich is a prosecuting attorney who works for Raymond Horgan (Brian Dennehy), also a prosecuting attorney in the same law firm. Before Rusty Sabich is accused of the murder of …show more content…

According to Schmalleger, these responsibilities entail “...represent the accused at trial, to present evidence in the defendant’s favor, to cross examine witnesses...” (2013). Sandy Stern during the trial cross examines Raymond Horgan and Dr. Kumagai (Sab Shimono). When cross-examining, Sandy Stern receives information that is going to help prove Rusty Sabich is innocent and there is unlawful actions taking place by certain courtroom participants. Sandy Stern discusses the disappearance of the glass and if it really did exist. He also states that the phone calls that took place between Rusty Sabich and Carolyn Polhemus could have been strictly for work. Sandy Stern questions multiple statements of the prosecution’s case. Sandy Stern gathers the information he needs from his cross examinations. Cross examining allows him to ask witnesses question that help his case. He fulfills his job of trying to prove his clients innocent and refute statements made against Rusty …show more content…

According to an article on TheScriptLab, it states, “Courtroom drama film uses the justice system as a main component of the plot. The story usually unfolds inside a courtroom with the prosecutor, judge, jury, and the defense” (Drama, n.d.). It being a drama and a movie, the directors main priority is to keep viewers interested. By making it interesting, specifics pertaining to how a trial takes place, may not be accurate. The author states that “Courtroom drama buffs will recognize the familiar elements and characters - overmatched prosecutors, dramatic last-minute confessions, trusty investigators...” (Thompson, 1990.). Courtroom drama is a genre that truly tests the idea of reality versus media. This portrayal of how an incident would play out in reality versus media is seen in Presumed

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