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Lights, Camera, Action: Celebrity Trials
Have Damaged System’s Reputation
Michael Jackson walks down the red carpet toward the ornate building with huge Greek columns as his adoring fans stand behind the barricades chanting, “We love Michael, we love Michael.” Jackson acknowledges them by waving and smiling; all decked out in his best sequenced outfit and mirrored sunglasses. His body guards lead him along the way before he disappears behind the glass doors. This is a scene that we have watched many times before during the Grammy Awards or one of the many other awards shows where Jackson has appeared. But, this scene seems a little different than the typical photo opt. The building that he is entering is not adorned by the familiar Oscar figurine, but displays the scales of justice and instead of paparazzi, we see armed police officers. This is not an awards show, this is a criminal trial. Two very different functions that have sadly started to look very similar.
Courtrooms equipped with cameras and microphones, Judges with hair gel, trucks with satellite dishes in the parking lot, all of the staples for a fair and honest system of justice. Everything that a person needs to get a fair trial except for Army Archer on the steps giving us the play by play. I can see it now, the host of Courtroom Entertainment huddled in the juror’s box providing commentary for the titillating testimony of the case. It has all the earmarks of great television. Reality television at its best. Might it interfere with the sanctity of a system that relies on credibility, fairness, and justice? Maybe, but at least it will give us something other than The Batchelor to watch every night.
Jackson’s circus of a trial in California is not the first of its type. In fact, it has become common place. We saw it with O.J., we saw it with Kobey (if that really was a legal proceeding), we recently saw it with Robert Blake, and the list goes on and on. And it’s not just the celebrity/defendants that make a mockery of the system. Officials of the courts, who are quick to criticize the media sensationalism, change their tune a bit once they see themselves on camera. Remember the prosecutors and the Judge in the O.J. case? After the case was over with, which by the way they lost, the Prosecutors decided that the life of an Assistant D.A. was no longer for them. The bright lights had gotten into their system and off they went to a lucrative career in one of the many legal television shows, radio shows or whatever, that will be so much more rewarding for them. And by all means, they must write a book. Excuse me, why was it that you went to law school? I have worked with prosecutors for the last 17 years and I can’t remember any of them leaving for a career as a celebrity after a trial, especially when they got beat. Even jurors get caught up in the frenzy, appearing on talk shows so that they can share their side of the story. What ever happened to juror anonymity? I don’t know, maybe a paycheck! For a system that gets constantly criticized, cursed, and attacked on a daily basis, at least it’s still a good way to get your acting career started. Who needs American Idol, when there is a courthouse nearby!
But wait! The one ingredient that the show seems to be missing is the victim of the crime. Isn’t their participation as important as all of the others? Well, I suppose it is but their story is just usually so depressing. We wouldn’t want to bring everybody down as they share their nightmares as to what happened to them. Murders, rapes, and child molestations are all great topics to talk about, but do we have to put the face of a victim with it. Naaaah, we need excitement, not empathy. Besides, I’m sure that the victim’s needs are being met by some other means. Excitement in the courtroom is what the viewers want.
Public access to our courts is essential. Anything less would cause the system to crumble. But, the public’s right to know and television ratings sweeps are two parallels that should never cross. Oh well, enough of that. Lights, Camera, Action! Wait!! Makeup please, just a little powder on the Judge’s nose and can we get the defendant to snarl a little more? Perfect. Okay, on with the show!!!
For further information, visit
www.voice4victims.com
If you are interested in having Mr. Hall speak at your next club or group meeting, please email contact information to:
SHallBadgeNotes@aol.com
032705
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