Essay Assignment
i. Some scholars feel that the popular media (especially films and television) present lawyers in a very negative manner. Based on what you have examined during the first five weeks of the course, what would lead these scholars to such a conclusion? If their conclusion has merit, to what degree does this negative portrayal impact the actual operation of the American justice process?
ii. Why is Atticus Finch so often viewed as such a great role model for American criminal defense attorneys? Analyze his role as Tom Robinson's defense counsel both as to what he did effectively and what he might have done differently to aid his client. How does his advocacy compare to that shown by attorneys in the Scottsboro Boys trials?
iii. What about the actual practice of criminal law (especially as it impacts law school education, trial preparation, and trials) leads filmmakers to present highly fictionalized portrayals of the criminal justice system in their movies? Does this highly fictionalized presentation have a negative impact on how the public views lawyers and the actual criminal justice process?
iv. What inaccuracies exist in popular legal culture (be as specific as possible) and what are the potential ramifications of those inaccuracies for the American justice system?
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
i) The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
ii) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
iii) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.