Elements of Judicial Process Critical Review The primary writing assignment for this class will take the form of a critical review. As will become
apparent throughout the course, films, television programs, and documentaries regularly feature
elements of the judicial process.

While potentially interesting subject matter, the judicial process is a
complex and nuanced component of the broader political system, and fictionalized media portrayals
have the potential to warp public understanding of an otherwise largely unfamiliar process. The goal of
this paper is to critically assess an example of a media portrayal of the judicial process and compare that
portrayal to reality.

Elements of Judicial Process Critical Review Suggested Media Portrayals

The following are suggested media portrayals. Some take the form of documentaries (both in film and
in series), some are “based on a true story,” and others are totally fiction.
Frontline: The Plea (available at Watch Frontline The Plea).
Hot Coffee (available on Netflix among others)
Making a Murderer* (available on Netflix)
To Kill a Mockingbird (available on Netflix among others)
12 Angry Men (1957) (available to rent through Amazon.com, iTunes, among others)
Gideon’s Trumpet (available to rent through Amazon.com, iTunes, among others)
A Civil Action (available to rent through Amazon.com, iTunes, among others)