Racism is a challenge that has dogged the American justice system for years. There is consensus that the system treats racial minorities unfairly while members of the white community enjoy favorable treatment (“The Color of Justice”, n.d). The high number of cases where white police officers have been acquitted after carrying out injustices against black men serve as evidence of the failure of the justice system to deliver fair treatment for all. The film 12 Angry Men offers further evidence that the justice system does not treat all equally. It appears that prejudice shapes how the justice system functions. Such factors as socioeconomic factors and race seem to determine how one is treated when in the criminal justice system.
12 Angry Men chronicles the deliberations of a jury that is tasked with delivering a judgment regarding the fate of a young boy. The boy, who lives in a slum, is accused of fatally stabbing his father (Lumet, 1957). The movie allows the audience to understand the issues that juries consider when examining cases. In the US, juries are required to consider the evidence and to ensure that such extraneous factors as their personal leanings do not cloud their judgment. As the movie reveals, prejudice always shapes how jurors approach cases. As the movie begins, all but one of the jurors agree to deliver a guilty verdict (Lumet, 1957). Juror number 8 is convinced that the boy is innocent and encourages the others to consider the case in greater detail. Juror number 10 protests and displays a dislike of individuals who hail from slums. This juror represents how unfairly the criminal justice system treats people who are from poor backgrounds. As the movie progresses and it begins to become clear that the other jurors will vote to acquit the boy, juror number 10 launches into a spectacle where he lambasts people who live in slums and accuses them of killing for fun (Lumet, 1957). He goes as far as likening them to animals. Parallels can be drawn between his behavior and how difficult it is for poor people to access justice in the US. The American justice system is such that the wealthy enjoy the services of competent lawyers whose services are expensive (Covert, 2016). On the other hand, the poor are forced to resort to public defenders who often lack interest in their cases. It is clear that 12 Angry Men seeks to highlight the role that prejudices play in defining how the justice system functions.
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The actions of Juror number 10 help viewers to understand how prejudice denies people justice. Juror number 3 also helps to shed light on the damage that prejudice does. Instead of joining his fellow jurors in examining the case soberly, juror number 3 calls on them ensure that the boy “burns” (Lumet, 1957). He does not appear to have a solid foundation for his call for a guilty verdict. In fact, juror number 8 labels him a “sadist”. Juror number 3 attempts to attack juror number 8 in response. This scene is tense and intriguing. It exposes the complexities of jury deliberations. It also reveals how one’s prejudices can blind them from seeing the truth. The American justice system suffers the same prejudices that are witnessed in the film. As noted earlier, the system has acquitted white police officers despite clear evidence that they committed crimes. For example, in 1991, four officers who were filmed beating a black man were acquitted (Adams, 2016). The acquittal occurred despite there being video footage of their actions. Prejudice and racism are clearly holding the US justice system back from carrying out its mandate of delivering justice.
For the most part, 12 Angry Men focuses on how the criminal justice system fails victims. It highlights the immense power that juries wield and how prejudices cloud their judgment. However, the movie also makes it clear that reason and logic are the key to combating prejudice. The jurors gradually move from their initial conviction that the boy is guilty and eventually, all jurors agree to acquit him (Lumet, 1957). This happens after they have reviewed the evidence and the conduct of the boy and some old lady who serves as the witness. The decision of the jurors to deliver a not guilty verdict offers hope for the American criminal justice system; it is indeed possible to rid the system of prejudice and other ills that hinder the delivery of justice. All the stakeholders need to join forces and promote evidence-based deliberations.
In conclusion, the American justice system is flawed and in dire need of reform. For decades, the system has failed minorities. It has conspired with criminals and evil people to deny poor and helpless communities justice. This system could benefit from the lessons that 12 Angry Men presents. The film sheds light on the impacts of prejudice and how it hampers justice delivery. The entire American nation should rally together behind reforming the justice system so that it is better equipped to tackle crime and deliver justice.
References
Adams, C. (2016). March 3, 1991: Rodney King Beating Caught on Video. Retrieved 21st August 2017 from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/march-3rd-1991-rodney-king-lapd-beating-caught-on-video/
Covert, B. (2016). Poor People don’t Stand a Chance in Court. Retrieved 21st August 2017 from https://thinkprogress.org/poor-people-dont-stand-a-chance-in-court-7e46bd4e5719/
Lumet, S (Director). (1957). 12 Angry Men [Motion Picture]. United States: MGM Studios.
The Color of Justice. (n.d). Retrieved 21st August 2017 from http://www.crf-usa.org/brown-v-board-50th-anniversary/the-color-of-justice.html
